Heroica RPG - Quest #138: Fade To Black

[Lind Whisperer]

"I'm not using the hotpsring water, its just the same principle."

"Interesting..."

"We've known there was another group since the beginning."

OoC: We have? I briefly scanned the exposition with the king, and I didn't see it anywhere...

"On the outskirts of Mermont. Vorpalis must've placed a bounty on their heads or something; hopefully the same doesn't happen to you."

Bother it. "We must remember to stop by there, and make sure their effects have been collected for return to the Hall."

The contraption bursts to life and, and true to its name, puffs out a cloud of remedial smoke.

"That... Shouldn't have... Worked... Uh, anyway. Thanks for the "percussive maitenance." Puffy is good to go."

Lind purposely doesn't look towards Jinnipher.

"Okay, then...Unless anyone needs to buy something from the vending machines, I move we make a quick stop at the Commoner's Corner, and then get to work clearing out the Forest and Farmland, while moving north towards Algon."

[JimBee]

"Hey! Be careful of that!"

The contraption bursts to life and, and true to its name, puffs out a cloud of remedial smoke.

"That... Shouldn't have... Worked... Uh, anyway. Thanks for the "percussive maitenance." Puffy is good to go."

Jinnipher wasn't smug, but raised an eyebrow at the machine's unreliability. "...You were saying?"

"Anyway, now that that's taken care of, we should get moving. There's not much we can do for the people here. At least they're safe from the fog."

She turned to Lucy. "We're also looking for two of the King's advisors, Marlow and Merlay. Have you ever heard of them, or do you know where we can find them?"

[Endgame]

QM Note: Sandman said as much early on in the quest and in the hall, I believe.

"They're not Heroes of Heroica, Lind, although you'e free to loot their corpses if you wish." Sandman shrugs.

"Is it really smart to go through the forests and Algon, instead of just passing straight through one to Mermont?"

She turned to Lucy. "We're also looking for two of the King's advisors, Marlow and Merlay. Have you ever heard of them, or do you know where we can find them?"

"Marlow lives near the Cathedral and was very devout, so he was there often... and I believe Merlay lives in Mermont - she might be there."

"Marlow is currently decorating the walls of the Cathedral, thanks to Vorpalis and Lind's smooth talking."

Sputnik winces.

"Ech. I was there, at the cathedral, you know - and as soon as I realized that Vorpalis was trying to kill any loyalists to Faust's, I left that place quick. I'd rather sleep outside here then in a building with a dragon magnet, you know?"

Edited July 27, 2015 by Endgame

[Lind Whisperer]

"They're not Heroes of Heroica, Lind, although you'e free to loot their corpses if you wish." Sandman shrugs.

"...I...never said that.

...Anyways, it'd be proper - making sure they receive a proper burial and all..."

"Is it really smart to go through the forests and Algon, instead of just passing straight through one to Mermont?"

"Well, I figured the king'd prefer a fully reclaimed Moone, but I'm all for going straight there, if the party'd prefer..."

"Marlow is currently decorating the walls of the Cathedral, thanks to Vorpalis and Lind's smooth talking."

"Hey! I told him to put the gentleman down slowly! I even said please!"

"Ech. I was there, at the cathedral, you know - and as soon as I realized that Vorpalis was trying to kill any loyalists to Faust's, I left that place quick. I'd rather sleep outside here then in a building with a dragon magnet, you know?"

"...Dragon magnet?"

[Endgame]

"Marlow. He's a loyal follower of Faust. Vorpalis wants to kill that demographic. Therefore, Marlow would attract Vorpalis's presence, and that'd be bad for me. Ergo, dragon magnet." Sputnik shrugs.

[JimBee]

"Marlow lives near the Cathedral and was very devout, so he was there often... and I believe Merlay lives in Mermont - she might be there."

"Marlow is currently decorating the walls of the Cathedral, thanks to Vorpalis and Lind's smooth talking."

"So that's what happened..." She gave a furious look to Lind, but didn't address him directly. Instead, she turned to the rest of the party. "He's done. Heroica may have lowered its standards to increase recruitment after the Nephilim incident, but I'd rather fight demons and traitors than deal with such incompetence. He's already jeopardized the mission enough, and his big mouth got someone killed. I vote we leave him here until our mission is done. I'm not going to be held back by this unprofessional twerp."

[Lind Whisperer]

"Marlow. He's a loyal follower of Faust. Vorpalis wants to kill that demographic. Therefore, Marlow would attract Vorpalis's presence, and that'd be bad for me. Ergo, dragon magnet." Sputnik shrugs.

"Got it. I was assuming that we'd be going off in search of the Ancient Dragon Magnet of the Olympiads, or something..."

"So that's what happened..." She gave a furious look to Lind, but didn't address him directly. Instead, she turned to the rest of the party. "He's done. Heroica may have lowered its standards to increase recruitment after the Nephilim incident, but I'd rather fight demons and traitors than deal with such incompetence. He's already jeopardized the mission enough, and his big mouth got someone killed. I vote we leave him here until our mission is done. I'm not going to be held back by this unprofessional twerp."

"Wait a minute, sister. I'm the one that's jeopardized the mission? You were the one that's been fighting the leader this entire time! I'm not arguing that I've engaged in and caused my full share and then some of squabbles - but I have always followed the leader and followed the rest of the team! You're the one that's disobeying orders and running off into dangerous fog!

My mouth got someone killed? I was the only person there, and I'm not trained in Diplomacy - which you are, I might add. I did my best, and I stand by what I did. Vorpalis was determined to kill all of Faust's followers. Marlow would have died no matter what I tried to do."

[Kintobor]

"Wait a minute, sister. I'm the one that's jeopardized the mission? You were the one that's been fighting the leader this entire time! I'm not arguing that I've engaged in and caused my full share and then some of squabbles - but I have always followed the leader and followed the rest of the team! You're the one that's disobeying orders and running off into dangerous fog!

"Oh, no you don't!" Karie exclaims. "I remember you originally wanted to go off into the fog, but begrudgingly went with Skrall and the others. You chickened out under pressure. I went with Jinnipher to ensure her safety, while you saved your own skin. For someone all for the saving of others, you're cowardice certainly managed to show at the most opportune of times for you to show your courage." Karie pointed out, crossing her arms.

"If you two want to squabble, fine, squabble. You can both stay here because I'm getting annoyed with the two of you acting like children!"

[Lind Whisperer]

"Oh, no you don't!" Karie exclaims. "I remember you originally wanted to go off into the fog, but begrudgingly went with Skrall and the others. You chickened out under pressure.

"How did I chicken out? I wanted to go off into the fog, yes, but I followed the party leader's orders. How is that chickening out?

I went with Jinnipher to ensure her safety, while you saved your own skin. For someone all for the saving of others, you're cowardice certainly managed to show at the most opportune of times for you to show your courage." Karie pointed out, crossing her arms.

"Again, how was I a coward? I reluctantly ceded to the party leader, because he was the mega-blocking party leader! I wanted to go investigate the sounds, but I had been given the responsibility of following the party leader's orders - and I followed them."

I'm not

"If you two want to squabble, fine, squabble. You can both stay here because I'm getting annoyed with the two of you acting like children!"

"I want to go kill either clean out some forests, or clean out Mermont, and then eventually kill a dragon like we were supposed to. You want to install a moratorium on talking, fine. But in case everyone forgets, we do have a job we're supposed to be doing. And although y'all are all very strong, tough heroes, this is the sort of mission that needs cannon fodder. It'll take more than four people to kill that dragon - unless the sniper gets off a lucky shot. But I have a feeling Vorpalis isn't the sort of dragon to die by a single shot, no matter how well-placed..."

[JimBee]

"Wait a minute, sister. I'm the one that's jeopardized the mission? You were the one that's been fighting the leader this entire time! I'm not arguing that I've engaged in and caused my full share and then some of squabbles - but I have always followed the leader and followed the rest of the team! You're the one that's disobeying orders and running off into dangerous fog!

Jinnipher shrugged. "At least I learned something in that fog. Karie should have too, if she was paying attention." She looked sideways at the Witch.

My mouth got someone killed? I was the only person there, and I'm not trained in Diplomacy - which you are, I might add. I did my best, and I stand by what I did. Vorpalis was determined to kill all of Faust's followers. Marlow would have died no matter what I tried to do."

"And maybe I could have saved him! But by the time I got there, Marlow was splattered all over the walls. Your best was talking circles around a dragon."

"Oh, no you don't!" Karie exclaims. "I remember you originally wanted to go off into the fog, but begrudgingly went with Skrall and the others. You chickened out under pressure. I went with Jinnipher to ensure her safety, while you saved your own skin. For someone all for the saving of others, you're cowardice certainly managed to show at the most opportune of times for you to show your courage." Karie pointed out, crossing her arms.

"If you two want to squabble, fine, squabble. You can both stay here because I'm getting annoyed with the two of you acting like children!"

"I appreciate the support," Jinnipher replied sarcastically. "But I don't squabble. I'm here to do the job I was hired for, and this brat's insolence is holding all of us back. It's in our best interest to cut him out and move forward without risking him screwing things up again."

But in case everyone forgets, we do have a job we're supposed to be doing. And although y'all are all very strong, tough heroes, this is the sort of mission that needs cannon fodder. It'll take more than four people to kill that dragon - unless the sniper gets off a lucky shot. But I have a feeling Vorpalis isn't the sort of dragon to die by a single shot, no matter how well-placed..." [/color]

"It's great that you're reminding all of us what you've failed to do so far. Having one more person than four isn't going to help, especially if it's you."

"I'm going to find this dragon and kill it. Now that we have the steam machine, I suggest anyone more intelligent than a drugged-up cultist with a big mouth come with me." Jinnipher crossed her arms, looking at Warlen, Skrall, and Sandman expectantly.

[The Chosen Minifigure]

Warlen watches the confrontation unfold.

"Hmmmn... despite his... attitude, I'd say we... well..."

Warlen shrugs helplessly. "What 'bout we... look, I dunno. Lind, if it's possible to keep your mouth shut, think before you leap, then sure. Stay. But your... track record isn't great so far. Plus, racism and drunkardness. Which may not be a real word. Prof Sputnik?"

[Lind Whisperer]

Jinnipher shrugged. "At least I learned something in that fog. Karie should have too, if she was paying attention." She looked sideways at the Witch.

"Something which was...?"

"And maybe I could have saved him! But by the time I got there, Marlow was splattered all over the walls. Your best was talking circles around a dragon."

"...The point was, I did my best. And I "apologize" that I failed to stop a forty-foot tall - and that's a low-ball number - dragon from killing a man he was already holding in his claws and was intent on killing.

Holding me responsible for Marlow's death is pointless and stupid. It was an impossible situation. There was no way for me to save him. Never-the-less, I did what I could to try and save him. I did not succeed. It happens."

"I appreciate the support," Jinnipher replied sarcastically. "But I don't squabble.

"Please pardon me one minute while I laugh my head off."

I'm here to do the job I was hired for, and this brat's insolence is holding all of us back. It's in our best interest to cut him out and move forward without risking him screwing things up again."

"No, it's in our best interest to go kill a dragon. You know, like we were hired to do. You seem to misunderstand the concept of safety in numbers..."

"It's great that you're reminding all of us what you've failed to do so far. Having one more person than four isn't going to help, especially if it's you."

"No, honey, it would be you who is honestly doing the least to help the party. I, taking absolutely nothing else into account, am mildly well-armored and can serve at the barest minimum as cannon fodder. You'll get killed if anything so much as breathes on you.

The only thing you bring is Moon elf ancestry, and to be honest, that hasn't been of any real use. It hasn't held the party up, but it hasn't speed us up any either."

"I'm going to find this dragon and kill it. Now that we have the steam machine, I suggest anyone more intelligent than a drugged-up cultist with a big mouth come with me." Jinnipher crossed her arms, looking at Warlen, Skrall, and Sandman expectantly.

Lind shook his head.

He stepped over to Skrall. "Perhaps, sir, I should scout up through the forests while you all head on to Algon, and then we rendezview outside of Mermont? It might do the party some good to clear the air a bit. Worst comes to worse, I guess I get to see some fog-visions..."

OoC: I've got Flee, if I run into any battles.

But your... track record isn't great so far. Plus, racism and drunkardness. Which may not be a real word.

"Just for the record, I...don't do well when I'm drunk. I may seem like myself, but...I'm not." The Munchkin looked sadly down at the ground. "I...I just don't, and...I...just don't..."

[Kintobor]

"The word is "drunkenness", Warlen." Karie remarks. "You know, you two would really make a big name in the theatre. Live for one night only, it's Lind and Jinn! See them bicker and berate each other in a full hour performance!" Karie spiels, complete with a change in tone to a boyish facade. She groans afterward, cupping her head in her hands.

He stepped over to Skrall. "Perhaps, sir, I should scout up through the forests while you all head on to Algon, and then we rendezview outside of Mermont? It might do the party some good to clear the air a bit. Worst comes to worse, I guess I get to see some fog-visions..."

"NO! No, god, please, no! We're not splitting the party! The last time that happened we nearly got murdered by a demonic piano.

I need a break. Where are the private hot springs?" Karie begins to rub her temples.

[Lind Whisperer]

"The word is "drunkenness", Warlen." Karie remarks. "You know, you two would really make a big name in the theatre. Live for one night only, it's Lind and Jinn! See them bicker and berate each other in a full hour performance!" Karie spiels, complete with a change in tone to a boyish facade.

"...I call dibs on top billing."

"NO! No, god, please, no! We're not splitting the party! The last time that happened we nearly got murdered by a demonic piano.

"...You nearly got murdered in the fog by a demonic piano?"

[JimBee]

"The word is "drunkenness", Warlen." Karie remarks. "You know, you two would really make a big name in the theatre. Live for one night only, it's Lind and Jinn! See them bicker and berate each other in a full hour performance!" Karie spiels, complete with a change in tone to a boyish facade. She groans afterward, cupping her head in her hands.

"Do not dare to compare me to him. I've had enough of this idiocy. If he wants to so nobly act as 'cannon-fodder' as he puts it, fine. The most useful thing he will have done this quest is sate the dragon's hunger and shut up for good."

"And if you're done putting yourself up on a pedestal and ignoring what is actually a threat to the party, then I too would like to know what you saw in the fog. I have a theory on what it does and how Vorpalis has been holding control of an entire kingdom."

[Kintobor]

"And if you're done putting yourself up on a pedestal and ignoring what is actually a threat to the party, then I too would like to know what you saw in the fog. I have a theory on what it does and how Vorpalis has been holding control of an entire kingdom."

Karie glares at Jinn. "I know exactly what the fog does. It makes you hallucinate, but not the sort of way when you take hallucinogenic drug. It brings your nightmares into reality, the stuff you wish you could forget. You'll have to excuse me if I refuse to decline answering what I see."

[The Chosen Minifigure]

"The word is "drunkenness", Warlen." Karie remarks. "You know, you two would really make a big name in the theatre. Live for one night only, it's Lind and Jinn! See them bicker and berate each other in a full hour performance!" Karie spiels, complete with a change in tone to a boyish facade. She groans afterward, cupping her head in her hands.

Warlen snaps his fingers. "That's the one. And I'd pay money to see that as long as there were no audience interactions..."

"NO! No, god, please, no! We're not splitting the party! The last time that happened we nearly got murdered by a demonic piano.

"Sure you're just not desperate to be an evil minstrel?"

I need a break. Where are the private hot springs?" Karie begins to rub her temples.

"And how many are there?"

[Endgame]

Lucy and Sputnik shift uncomfortably near the vending machines, saying only what they need to.

"NO! No, god, please, no! We're not splitting the party! The last time that happened we nearly got murdered by a demonic piano.

I need a break. Where are the private hot springs?" Karie begins to rub her temples.

"Take a left and walk up the stone steps."

"And how many are there?"

"Seven in total."

Edited July 27, 2015 by Endgame

[JimBee]

Karie glares at Jinn. "I know exactly what the fog does. It makes you hallucinate, but not the sort of way when you take hallucinogenic drug. It brings your nightmares into reality, the stuff you wish you could forget. You'll have to excuse me if I refuse to decline answering what I see."

Jinnipher ignored the glare and seemed to calm down after looking thoughtfully into the sky. "Right. It did the same for me. I also fought Vorpalis in the fog. I should have died back there, but I didn't. And when we saw him in the flesh, he didn't recognize me. It seems like he doesn't have any control over the hallucinations, and that the fog is a weapon of fear and probably his main source of power. Moon Elves are pacifists, but that doesn't mean they left their entire kingdom open to an attack. The fog disabled everyone and made it easy for Vorpalis to kill or brainwash them. And that means... that he's not as powerful as he seems. The fog is an act to make himself seem more fearsome, when in reality he is hiding behind it. Maybe there's something else at play here, but I think with this machine we can take him. We take away his power and all that's left is a lizard with a bone to pick."

"Sputnik, do you have any idea of how the fog is created or spread? I have never heard of a dragon having such power. Sandman?"

[Endgame]

"I have no idea. From what I gather, Vorpalis isn't like any other dragon, and neither was his brother. They're old. Like, really old. Propoganda from Mermont is calling Vorpalis "The Conqueror" - apparently he's been around since Mercution was whole and complete, perhaps even before then. Apparently he's the one who conquered this land originally, before all hell broke loose and we had to sink half of the continent - before Moone was even Moone. He's engrained in this place's history, deeper than I originally thought..."

"We mustn't forget that, according to Lind - Vorpalis can also ignite the fog and make it explode. I have no idea of how he ever acquired it, though..."

[JimBee]

"Then maybe someone or something is helping him. In any case, we need to get moving. The forest sounds like a good place to start. Skrall, what's it going to be?"

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall sat quietly letting Lind and Jinnipher hash things out, it needed to happen at some point and better now than when facing the dragon. As the shouting settled and calmer conversation ensued the ogre interjected. "Fog or no, the beast may not be as helpless as we make him out to be. The machine will definitely be needed, but I'm not sure if a full on assault is still the best course of action. For the time being we stick together. It's not a matter of numbers or abilities, we simply do not fully know everything we are dealing with and until that time, we're keeping all options open." Skrall turned to Lucy, "What can you tell us about the state of Algon?"

Edited July 27, 2015 by Waterbrick Down

[Endgame]

"From what I understand, it's just rubble..."

[Waterbrick Down]

"We'll head through the forest then. Are ya travelin' with us Sputnik?"

[Lind Whisperer]

"We'll head through the forest then. Are ya travelin' with us Sputnik?"

Lind stood to attention, ready to follow the group. Edited July 28, 2015 by Lind Whisperer