Heroica RPG - Quest #138: Fade To Black

[Lind Whisperer]

Jinnipher rolled eyes. "Obviously. Unless you want to fly there, hotshot."

"If you don't mean first, don't say first. Especially in planning."

[Kintobor]

Karie listens to the king and the Sandman as they explain the situation.

"Okay, so our goal is getting to the Palace, but you want us to check on various areas and people on our way there. Stay out of the fog, and don't be outside at midnight.

Where will we be landing on Moone? I can't assume the Docks... unless that's the only place we can get onto the island."

[Endgame]

"The reason why Moone didn't sink was because it was higher elevation then the rest of Mercution, i wager. What I'm saying here is the rest of the land is too far raised up to access via boat. You may have to row in on a smaller boat, but the docks are the only place for access... Meaning you're going to have to be taking the trip to my castle the long way."

"It's important to note that the purple locations could've simply been burned to the ground and left to rot. He seems to have little plans of controlling any small settlements."

"Any other questions, or shall I show you to your vessel?"

[Lind Whisperer]

"The reason why Moone didn't sink was because it was higher elevation then the rest of Mercution, i wager. What I'm saying here is the rest of the land is too far raised up to access via boat. You may have to row in on a smaller boat, but the docks are the only place for access... Meaning you're going to have to be taking the trip to my castle the long way."

"Understood, Sir King.

If I might be so bold as to venture a question - have any of your architects ever considered trying to reclaim some of Mercution from the sea with a series of levees and embankments? I have heard stories of such constructions having very favorable results."

"Any other questions, or shall I show you to your vessel?"

"Other than my muses upon the potentials of levees, I am all prepared for travel, Sir King." Edited July 5, 2015 by Lind Whisperer

[Endgame]

"Apparently there's merfolk residing there now. I haven't the need, desire, or resources to excavate a continent - there are few beings that can ever do that, dragons ironically being among them. No reason to tear their homes away, anyway."

[Lind Whisperer]

"Apparently there's merfolk residing there now. I haven't the need, desire, or resources to excavate a continent - there are few beings that can ever do that, dragons ironically being among them. No reason to tear their homes away, anyway."

"Verstanden, Sir King.

I am ready to travel then."

[The Chosen Minifigure]

Warlen, having remained respectfully silent, nods at the suggestion of heading to the boat.

"You seem to have a plan, my liege. Let's hope the sea is calm. Although, sir, I've gotta admit, it never is."

[Endgame]

Warlen, having remained respectfully silent, nods at the suggestion of heading to the boat.

"You seem to have a plan, my liege. Let's hope the sea is calm. Although, sir, I've gotta admit, it never is."

"You hero types attract sea monsters. I just eat, sleep, and play guitar."

[The Chosen Minifigure]

"A musician?", Warlen questioned.

[Endgame]

"A musician?", Warlen questioned.

"A sniper. But you can only spend so much time polishing the barrel of a handcannon."

[Lind Whisperer]

"You hero types attract sea monsters. I just eat, sleep, and play guitar."

"Which reminds me..."

The Munchkin began to rustle about in his Bag of Holding.

"I know it's here, I know it's here...Here." He tossed the Akrone Fez to Jinnipher.

"You'll need as much padding as we can give you...One miss, and, well...Not pretty.

Speaking of which, Warlen - I'm not one to dictate what others do with their gear, but I seem to remember that you're carrying an additional shield besides the one I got from those, eh, "Star lizards"? The extra defense it would give -" He turned to Jinnipher. "What was your name again?" He turned back. "-would really boost the party's strength as a whole."

Edited July 5, 2015 by Lind Whisperer

[Waterbrick Down]

"You'd be correct. The ragon grows more audacious. He seems to be specifcally targetting those who support my rule; and I don't mean individual people exclusively. Any town, city, or village that stays in support of me is razed. Before long, the loyal will be dead and only traitors to the throne will remain. You cannot let that happen."

"Call me Sandman."

"No."

Faust looks relieved, finding someone he could trust. He touches the bottom of his cane to Jinnipher's blade, a symbol of the King's blessings.

<It has been far, far too long, Jinnipher, my subject.> says the king in elvish.

<And thank the gods you are here to help. I am unsure how these clowns will fare, now that I see them assembled. The half-elf and the hunter seem respectable enough, but the rest... Keep them in line for me, if you could - Sandman will do the same, but his methods are slightly more... caustic.>

<Moone is not doing well. At all, I'm afraid. Much of it is ash - the dragon's rampage is not indiscriminate, butit seems to be very delibrate. He is trying to tear down the order Moone has had since its creation, and that is something I will not allow to happen. You must not fail me, Jinnipher.>

<I do not know, Jinnipher. That is something you must figure out when you're tere... I hope for the best, but you must be prepared to meet tragedy. Moone is not the place it once was, not now. A sickly black fog shrouds it, and a dragon prowls endlessly, leaving a trail of destruction.>

Faust switches back to cmmon.

"Heroes. I think you need some information, yes? I will tell you that this is not the first time Vorpalis has wronged us. Back in the war of the Sun and Moon, the war that resulted in the sinking of Mercution, Vorpalis was on our side - and he was supposed to fight back the hordes of demons after they broke out. But, being the coward he was, he fled, and left us to die. Later, he had the gall to return and ask for forgiveness - I wanted to kill him then. I should have. But I drove him out, and he was not seen again, the fiend fading into obscurity.

Only recently did he return, and began his rampage- in the centuries that have passed, he seems to have grown stronger than the coward he once was. Perhaps he is bitter over me banishing him, but he deserted us. I hardly had a choice.

He seems to have made a lair out of my palace, but be warned - when I had to escape Moone, my castle was overflowing with the dragon's black fog. I can only imagine it will be worse now. The fog is dangerous, heroes. There is a scientist in Moone, a man named Sputnik, who you must contact. He may be able to make you a device that can pierce the fog. Last I heard, he was living near the Cathedral of Ennoc. Another man you mut be aware of is Aeolus, the guard captain in Mermont. I would like you to check to see if he is alive or not. Finally, I believe my two advisors, Marlow and Merlay, have scattered across Moone. If you can find any trace of them, it would be appreciated.

Any questions?"

"Dragons aren't ones to be cowards generally, nor unreasonable beasts, if you wouldn't mind me asking for a little more clarification concerning the arrangement of that previous alliance? Banishment seems a little much for such a great beast, wouldn't surprise me if he wasn't out for revenge. You speak of towns that are loyal, are there those that are not? Who else would be aligning themselves with the great wyrm?"

"First, according to the map, we should be visiting the Docks - unless you want to risk a possibly uncomfortable shore landing. No offense, M'liege, no offense - it's just that water does unfortunate things to throwing cards - you see how that is.

After that, I vote we head for Cenauri - it's on the way to the Cathedral, and Sputnik's only said to be in the area of the Cathedral, not at it directly. We may be able to find more information on his whereabouts in Cenauri."

"I'd consider those to be high danger zones, actually. If they're loyal to the dragon - or even if they're just debating about whom to follow - they aren't going to be any sort of safe-houses."

"Or the dragon just hasn't made his way to them yet. It looks like we'll be making our way through the entire island eventually though."

[Kintobor]

Karie ponders to herself, thinking the lay of the land over. She felt a sense of nervousness of heading to unknown territory. It was something she thought she'd get over, but the conditions made her all the more paranoid.

"Well, we can devise a plan on the way to Moone. I'm all for heading out." She hoped the company on the ship would be good, although she felt she wouldn't get along with the elf nor Lind. She was surprised the elf hadn't even introduced herself. She looked arrogant and self important. Just the kind of people Karie enjoyed knocking down a peg.

"Hey, Miss Moon Elf? You got a name?"

Edited July 5, 2015 by Kintobor

[Endgame]

"It was a pact between the ruler of Mercution, Vorpalis, and his brother Lethauros. Lethauros was meant to defend the established land and hunt down dangerous targets, while Vorpalis's function was conquest. His job was to take over the surrounding land for the kingdom of Mercution - he was, at the very least, helpful then. When the demons broke out, Lethauros was on a mission.... But Vorpalis was there. he should've stayed and fought them back, perhaps delayed or prevented the full sinking of Mercution. But he fled, and doomed us. When he came to the newly established Moone, I drove him out for wronging all of those he was meant to serve. He failed in his duty, plain and simple.

In terms of loyalty, I do not know. Perhaps things have even changed since the map was established - I can tell you that much of Mermont is now under the dragon's control. I am unsure who else is aligning themself with the wyrm."

[JimBee]

"Which reminds me..."

The Munchkin began to rustle about in his Bag of Holding.

"I know it's here, I know it's here...Here." He tossed the Akrone Fez to Jinnipher.

Jinnipher half-hid a sneer. "I don't need any handouts. I can take care of myself, thank you very much."

Nonetheless, she took the Fez and stuffed it in her bag. "I'll keep your valuables safe if you really want."

"Hey, Miss Moon Elf? You got a name?"

"The name's Jinnipher." she announced to the party. "And before long you won't forget it. I guess I'll need to know your names so I can tell the coroner."

"In any case, I'm ready to go. My King, I'll have that dragon's head for you on a silver platter."

[Lind Whisperer]

Jinnipher half-hid a sneer. "I don't need any handouts. I can take care of myself, thank you very much."

"It's not a handout, it's a loan. And we're a team of questing heroes. We take care of each other. We're not a chain - we can survive our weakest link breaking - but we function a whole lot better when they don't. And without better gear, you're a very weak link. I was a weak link on my first quest, and I understood that. People loaned me a couple of pieces of gear until I won my own. And we fought many, many times the better for it."

"The name's Jinnipher." she announced to the party. "And before long you won't forget it. I guess I'll need to know your names so I can tell the mortician."

"Something to meet you, Jenny.

Lind Whisperer, Munchkin Assassin. Or...was. Sort of. From what I've picked up around the Hall, I got drunk, and now I'm currently disguised and traveling under the alias of a street magician named Flynn Flisperer. Also there was apparently something about a fake Chariasian accent..."

[The Chosen Minifigure]

Warlen shakes his head at Lind's complete unashamedness for his racism, tossing him his gear back.

"I don't really want this stuff, Flynn, for fear of being infected by you," he muttered icily at the Munchkin.

Upon the king mentioning Leauthuraos, Warlen thought back to his personal battle with the dragon. He slipped on his Leauthuraos ring, as a mark of respect for the fallen foe.

[Lind Whisperer]

Warlen shakes his head at Lind's complete unashamedness for his racism, tossing him his gear back.

"I don't really want this stuff, Flynn, for fear of being infected by you," he muttered icily at the Munchkin.

Upon the king mentioning Leauthuraos, Warlen thought back to his personal battle with the dragon. He slipped on his Leauthuraos ring, as a mark of respect for the fallen foe.

"Uh...did we interact last night, or something?

Also, nice ring."

Edited July 5, 2015 by Lind Whisperer

[JimBee]

"It's not a handout, it's a loan. And we're a team of questing heroes. We take care of each other. We're not a chain - we can survive our weakest link breaking - but we function a whole lot better when they don't. And without better gear, you're a very weak link. I was a weak link on my first quest, and I understood that. People loaned me a couple of pieces of gear until I won my own. And we fought many, many times the better for it."

"Something to meet you, Jenny.

Lind Whisperer, Munchkin Assassin. Or...was. Sort of. From what I've picked up around the Hall, I got drunk, and now I'm currently disguised and traveling under the alias of a street magician named Flynn Flisperer. Also there was apparently something about a fake Chariasian accent..."

Jinnipher's face started to turn red with anger. "Get this through your thick skull right now. I am not a part of a team, this is not my first quest, and I am not WEAK." She started to ventilate heavily, but remembered she was still in the prescence of the King so she tried to calm down. "You'd better be careful of what you say, kid. I have a lot of years and experience on you, and you're just an adolescent human. And do NOT call me that unless you want to wake up with no tongue."

[Lind Whisperer]

Jinnipher's face started to turn red with anger. "Get this through your thick skull right now. I am not a part of a team, this is not my first quest, and I am not WEAK." She started to ventilate heavily, but remembered she was still in the prescence of the King so she tried to calm down.

The Munchkin shrugged. "I'm sorry to have to be the one to break this to you...but for better or worse, you are part of a team. Or whatever it is we are...

Solo acts don't work. Trust me, I know from experience.

Everyone wants to think that the story is all about them. It isn't. It's about all of us. You may have your own motivations, your own wishes, your own plans - but you're still a part of a team-group...thing."

"You'd better be careful of what you say, kid.

"So they all tell me."

I have a lot of years and experience on you, and you're just an adolescent human.

"Battle actions speak louder than words."

And do NOT call me that unless you want to wake up with no tongue."

"Whatever you wish, Princess Jenny."

[JimBee]

Jinnipher raised her hand to slap Lind across the face, but decided it would only encourage him. She turned to Warlen as calmly as she could.

"Half-elf, huh? What made your elf-kin decide to lay with a human?"

[Lind Whisperer]

OoC: RP aside, if Warlen isn't going to be Mystic Knighting my shield, than Jenny should probably be using it. It's 1 SP more than what she has + absorbing lightning, and I can't carry shields as an Assassin.

Is there anyone who could use my Anniversary Medal? And Kinto - could Karie lend me the Oculoid Palm? I could just keep throwing my decks and retrieving them, but with my 1/6 chance of Assassination, it's in the party's best interest if I don't have to keep wasting every third turn.

Jinnipher raised her hand to slap Lind across the face, but decided it would only encourage him. She turned to Warlen as calmly as she could.

"Half-elf, huh? What made your elf-kin decide to lay with a human?"

"Why is it that every other elf I meet seems to think that they're part of some superior race? Now if it was Ogres, or Proggs, or some other race with unique abilities - I could see that. Or at least, they could try and make an argument for it. But elves...

Seriously, we're the same basic race - the only difference is that you guys live a little longer, have pointy ears, and half of you have a chip on your shoulders the size of Olegia. That's all."

[Waterbrick Down]

Jinnipher's face started to turn red with anger. "Get this through your thick skull right now. I am not a part of a team, this is not my first quest, and I am not WEAK." She started to ventilate heavily, but remembered she was still in the prescence of the King so she tried to calm down. "You'd better be careful of what you say, kid. I have a lot of years and experience on you, and you're just an adolescent human. And do NOT call me that unless you want to wake up with no tongue."

"Part of a team or not, you're expected to act towards the goal of the mission and represent the hall you're serving in. Keep that in mind, Ms. Jinnipher."

The Munchkin shrugged. "I'm sorry to have to be the one to break this to you...but for better or worse, you are part of a team. Or whatever it is we are...

Solo acts don't work. Trust me, I know from experience.

Everyone wants to think that the story is all about them. It isn't. It's about all of us. You may have your own motivations, your own wishes, your own plans - but you're still a part of a team-group...thing."

"So they all tell me."

"Battle actions speak louder than words."

"Whatever you wish, Princess Jenny."

"Am I going to have to keep you both separated for the duration of the trip?"

Skrall turned to Faust.

"I believe we're all ready to depart, your majesty."

[JimBee]

Continuing to ignore Lind's gibberish, Jinnipher replied to Skrall.

"Part of a team or not, you're expected to act towards the goal of the mission and represent the hall you're serving in. Keep that in mind, Ms. Jinnipher."

"Am I going to have to keep you both separated for the duration of the trip?"

"Oh I'll complete the mission alright, don't you worry about that. Skrall, right? I don't see any other ogres around."

[Endgame]

"I have instructed Captain Armstrong to ferry you to Moone. His boat is The Excelsus. Do try to not tear each other to shreds... And please, I beg of you. Kill Vorpalis, and save Moone."

Faust switches to elvish.

<And although I know you are a voice of reason, Jinnipher, don't excessively frustrate your "peers.">

Sandman preps his handcannon.

"Onwards."

Sniper

These handcannon wielding experts specialize in killing their targets in a single shot.

Job Traits:

-Intimidation

-Steady Hand: Snipers have a 1/6 chance of instantly killing their target with every shot. They can spend a turn increasing their lethality by 1/6, and the probability drops back to 1/6 after each successful shot. Lethality caps out at 6/6.

-Contractual Obligation: Sandman has been instructed to not allow any of the heroes of Heroica to die. He will absorb any damage directed at someone directly below him in the battle order.

Rolls:

6. Shield: Deadshot: Sandman increases his lethality by 2/6 and then shoots the targetted enemy for damage equal to WP x3 + Level.

5. Critical Shot: Sandman shoots the target for damage equal to WP x2 + Level

4. Hit: Sandman shoots the target for damage equal to WP + Level.

3. Take Aim: Sandman's lethality increases by 1/6

2. Damage

1. Special Damage

------------------------------------

The party heads to the docks, finding the Excelsus.

"Getting pretty sick of hauling you Heroicans across the sea, but nothing personal... I'm Armstrong. I recognize some of you from the Citadel incident, so hopefully you know what to expect from this old girl. Come on, heroes, climb aboard."

The heroes climb up the ladder that the captain's first mate throws down, finding themselves on the deck.

"Hah! More of you hero types. You folks are an interesting sort - despite what those sea monsters did to the sail last time, we've repaired her up all nice. Just to haul heroes across the sea and attract more trouble!" The man guffaws. "Nah, jus' joking. Name's Bruce. Can I interest you in a game of high tide, low tide?"

~High Tide, Low Tide~

-There is a deck of cards, each card being randomly numbered, 1 through 25. (Technically, the QM is using a random number generator)

-The Deckhand picks two cards, and then the participating hero picks 1.

-A coin is then flipped to decide whether it is High Tide or Low Tide (50/50 chance).

-If the coin lands on High Tide, and the hero's card is larger than the the deck hand's cards, the hero wins. If not, they lose.

-If the coin lands on Low Tide, and the hero's card is less than the deck hand's cards, the hero wins. If not, they lose.

-If the hero's card is between or equal to the deck hand's card, they lose.

"Not too tough, right? One round has me drawing two cards, you drawing one, and then flipping the coin. Depending on how many rounds you think you can win consecutively, the bigger of a turnout you'll get for beatin' me..."

Short Game

Entry Fee: 10 gold

Length: 1 round

Reward: 20 gold

Long Game

Entry Fee: 20 gold

Length: 2 rounds

Reward: 45 gold

Sailor's Gauntlet

Entry Fee: 40 gold

Length: 3 rounds

Reward: 50 gold + a Level-Up Mushroom

Meanwhile, Sandman was standing near the edge of the deck, staring out to sea, strumming on the guitar...

He seemed to be quite good.

Edited July 5, 2015 by Endgame