Heroica RPG - Quest #139: Around the World

[Purpearljellyblob]

Purpearl heads to the Vault before meeting the others at the training grounds. She finds herself soon staring into the unblinking eyes of Mater Kiga as he stares past her.

Purpearl moves and takes a seat on the grass beside Master Kiga. She clears her mind and meditates with her eyes closed, hoping to see what Master Kiga is seeing.

Edited November 5, 2015 by Purpearljellyblob

[Zepher]

The Healing Springs

"Ready to go then?" asks Jin as he rises. "I believe your elven friend will meet us there. I despise making Yu Shu wait. She only has so much energy. She will not accept it if you go easy on her, though, and I fear she'll be able to tell. That being said, you must not rough her up. If you do, I will make sure that my blades do more than rest on your flesh." He turns to Hoke. "You seem relaxed. Perhaps you will come close to being a challenge for me today. Where is it that you said you trained?"

At the Vault

Purpearl begins to grow calm... but she quickly feels the sun on her face and begins to think of the sun, and the sky, and old memories surge forward... and then, before she can get back into her place of calm, she hears a voice calling out to her.

"Lady Purpearl! I hope I'm not breaking your concentration. What a pleasant surprise on a morning such as this." She peeks open an eye to see Lord Chauncey approaching her. "How are you enjoying Xu so far? If I recall you had a calm and fiery presence, all at once. Surely this land of harmony within dichotomy will speak to your nature."

[Flipz]

Arthur awakens late to the warm breeze wafting across his face. It's only after opening his eyes that he realizes the source is Miirym, her head mere inches from his.

"Aah!" he cries, scrambling backward hard enough to bonk his head on the back wall. He rubs the point of impact gingerly, hoping he hadn't left a mark. "Miirym...what are you doing?"

Miirym blinks silently at Arthur, the delay long enough to annoy him. "Miirym..."

"<I had hoped you might murmur some information about the matters of which you spoke last night.>"

Arthur sighs. He'd known this day was coming. He'd just hoped it wouldn't be so soon. "What do you want to know?"

"<Everything.>"

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

Time passes, with Arthur explaining all he could about his time with Wren, many a tale being interrupted and interspersed with another before being resumed and told through. At length, Miirym's stomach begins to rumble.

"<...thank you, Arthur. I can see why this would be difficult for you. But we should not have secrets between us, not of such magnitude. There are many forces that try to tear us apart. We must not allow them any weapons with which to do so.>"

Arthur nods in agreement. "Does that mean you're ready to explain what was bothering you while we left Dastan?"

Miirym turns her head awkwardly. "<...yes. But ready and able are two different things. I...cannot truly tell you what I myself fail to understand.>"

Arthur strokes his stubbly chin, his exp<b></b>ression carefully concealed. "I see," he says neutrally; it is impossible to tell whether his suspicions have been confirmed or allayed. Miirym's stomach growls again, interrupting the ex-Mage's musings. "Come on, Miirym," he says, "let's go back to the Teahouse. Perhaps our hosts will have something for you there."

Edited November 6, 2015 by Flipz

[Purpearljellyblob]

"Lady Purpearl! I hope I'm not breaking your concentration. What a pleasant surprise on a morning such as this." She peeks open an eye to see Lord Chauncey approaching her. "How are you enjoying Xu so far? If I recall you had a calm and fiery presence, all at once. Surely this land of harmony within dichotomy will speak to your nature."

Purpearl tilts her head, "What a coincidence, Chauncey. Sure, this place is peaceful and harmonious. But harmony can be short lived if the continuation of peace is interrupted ever so often by chaos and fire." Turning to face the Vault, "You are right, this land largely represents my nature and I believe the true and the pure lies behind the walls of this Vault. Perhaps this Vault represents the inner peace everyone has within, and has impenetrable walls to keep the impurities out. A defensive mechanism, I would say. And everyone tries to access it through various ways." Turning back to face Chauncey, "I should meditate this morning, perhaps if I can open my inner vault, can I seek to open this Vault that sits by this temple."

[UsernameMDM]

The Healing Springs

"Ready to go then?" asks Jin as he rises. "I believe your elven friend will meet us there. I despise making Yu Shu wait. She only has so much energy. She will not accept it if you go easy on her, though, and I fear she'll be able to tell. That being said, you must not rough her up. If you do, I will make sure that my blades do more than rest on your flesh." He turns to Hoke. "You seem relaxed. Perhaps you will come close to being a challenge for me today. Where is it that you said you trained?"

Hoke walks with Jin back to the Training Grounds.

"Home," Hoke said, realizing how long it's been since he last thought of it,"I trained at home."

Hoke continues to walk in silence.

[JimBee]

Hybros gets out of the hot springs with Hoke and Jin, but does not follow. For some reason it didn't feel right to interrupt them. He stood alone for a while pondering what to do, before deciding to visit the teahouse. Perhaps he could find Arthur - and maybe even some answers - there. He surely didn't mind a warm cup of tea, either.

[Zepher]

At the Training Grounds

Following Hoke's answer he and Jin walk to the top of the mountain in silence, both lost in their own thoughts. Arriving they find Yu Shu, weapon in hand.

"You brought me the big boy to fight?"

"I thought he might prove a better match for you." Jin smiles softly. "Neither of you have proven a match for me. Perhaps today I shall take on the victor."

"What do you say?" Yu Shu grins confidently. "Think you can fight a Warrior Priestess and win?"

At the Vault

Purpearl tilts her head, "What a coincidence, Chauncey. Sure, this place is peaceful and harmonious. But harmony can be short lived if the continuation of peace is interrupted ever so often by chaos and fire." Turning to face the Vault, "You are right, this land largely represents my nature and I believe the true and the pure lies behind the walls of this Vault. Perhaps this Vault represents the inner peace everyone has within, and has impenetrable walls to keep the impurities out. A defensive mechanism, I would say. And everyone tries to access it through various ways." Turning back to face Chauncey, "I should meditate this morning, perhaps if I can open my inner vault, can I seek to open this Vault that sits by this temple."

As Purpearl and Chauncey talk, Master Kiga stands and bows to the two before walking sleepily away from the vault.

"As I told your friend Arthur yesterday, Kiga is often of the opinion that as soon as we open our mouths, we make fools of ourselves." Chauncey smiles after the were-lion as he walks off. "Even when he is not practicing his vows of silence, he is mostly a silent fellow."

"You're on the right path, Lady Purpearl. But if I can interrupt you from your meditations so easily, you'll find that you can't find your way into the Vault quite yet. Perhaps we could walk and talk, you and I, away from the others. The imp and dragoons and I share a history in our interests and pursuits of knowledge, but you and I share a more intimate past, and I would like to discuss it with you, if you'd allow it. I do not think we're so different you and I, and perhaps seeing this land where I once studied will help you to see my side of things on the day of our duel. Will you allow me that, at least?"

"Come on, Miirym," he says, "let's go back to the Teahouse. Perhaps our hosts will have something for you there."

Hybros gets out of the hot springs with Hoke and Jin, but does not follow. For some reason it didn't feel right to interrupt them. He stood alone for a while pondering what to do, before deciding to visit the teahouse. Perhaps he could find Arthur - and maybe even some answers - there. He surely didn't mind a warm cup of tea, either.

Hybros, Arthur and Miirym arrive at the teahouse at around the same time as Kiga, who doesn't pay them any heed. He steps into the Tea House and begins to prepare.

[Purpearljellyblob]

"You sought power from Regret and you went great lengths to achieve it, even killing your friend, former Lord Aventine. You knew I am your enemy and I am far weaker than you are, yet you did not strike me down. I find that rather, intriguing. Chauncey. Perhaps you needed something that we Heroes have that you do not currently possess, like the First Breath or perhaps you needed pawns to achieve your greater goals, just as you made use of countless lives to survive that duel."

Purpearl stands up and clutches Zelphie's Staff.

"Does Zelphie ring a bell to you?"

Followed by a moment of silence.

"But, I answer to Lord Guffington. If you have something you wish to say, I cannot stop you, but rest assured I am no fool, for I have seen what you are capable of, your dabbling with lost magic."

"Say your piece."

[Zepher]

"I will make only one amendment to your tale," says Chauncey, sitting down upon seeing that Purpearl is unlikely to walk alongside him. "I did kill Lord Aventine, and he was my friend, but he was equally likely to kill me. And we both knew the risks when we chose to seek our deal with the Master of Regret. If he were standing here today, having killed me, his old friend, would he receive the same lecture?"

"Zelphie was an unfortunate lose that day. She was one of those closest to me in heart and mind, matched only perhaps by Gerald and my former Master who now resides in Etheria. Master Kiga is far too wise for me to even pretend we have a mental relation. So do not think that I take her death lightly. All that I achieve from here on out will be in many ways for her."

"And I will finally say, and this is what I wished to discuss with you, that I do not hold you as an enemy. I wish we had not fought. I asked you, if anything, to stand down. But that is neither here nor there. I want only to inform you that I bear no hard feelings. My path and Heroica's path have become entwined time and time again, and I am certain that this will not be our last intersection. And I would like to hold you as an ally, Lady Purpearl. Forgive me, perhaps it is simply your hostility that makes me feel that I must win you over, but I imagine you will prove a powerful ally in many ways."

[UsernameMDM]

At the Training Grounds

"You brought me the big boy to fight?"

Zoot's Order appears once again in Hoke's hand, but this time as a simple quarterstaff. Hoke makes himself ready and signals that he is.

Edited November 7, 2015 by UsernameMDM

[Purpearljellyblob]

"I will make only one amendment to your tale," says Chauncey, sitting down upon seeing that Purpearl is unlikely to walk alongside him. "I did kill Lord Aventine, and he was my friend, but he was equally likely to kill me. And we both knew the risks when we chose to seek our deal with the Master of Regret. If he were standing here today, having killed me, his old friend, would he receive the same lecture?"

"Zelphie was an unfortunate lose that day. She was one of those closest to me in heart and mind, matched only perhaps by Gerald and my former Master who now resides in Etheria. Master Kiga is far too wise for me to even pretend we have a mental relation. So do not think that I take her death lightly. All that I achieve from here on out will be in many ways for her."

"And I will finally say, and this is what I wished to discuss with you, that I do not hold you as an enemy. I wish we had not fought. I asked you, if anything, to stand down. But that is neither here nor there. I want only to inform you that I bear no hard feelings. My path and Heroica's path have become entwined time and time again, and I am certain that this will not be our last intersection. And I would like to hold you as an ally, Lady Purpearl. Forgive me, perhaps it is simply your hostility that makes me feel that I must win you over, but I imagine you will prove a powerful ally in many ways."

"Both of you knew the risks, and Lord Aventine regretted that it ever happened, hence secluding himself from everyone. He even prepared a ship to escape from Eubric, to escape from you, Chauncey. It was you that hunted him down like a fearless beast, planting spies all over Eubric to stall our progress. Even had Russell and Pigley to ploy over that elf and that gnome's minds, making every decision and step along the way as hard as it possibly could. And it proved to be successful when that duo threatened my life when I ordered the death of our eventual enemies, Russell and Pigley. And Alexis, you already knew she will be on your side. In contrast, Lord Aventine was alone and had no allies. He had no intention to fight you, and if he were to kill you, he would have done it in self defense. And the outcome would be very different, if he were to stand before me today. Perhaps it is a mistake for Lord Aventine to even approach Heroica in the first place, if he had known you had much connections with Heroica."

"Perhaps you had so much power that you feared one day, someone, like Lord Aventine or someone else, might take it all away and all that pursuit for unimaginable power would have gone to waste. I do not know how many you have stepped over in that pursuit, but I can imagine."

Purpearl lays down her staff, "Lord Aventine had my trust, and trust needs to be earned. And trust needs to be tested. My hostility means nothing to you, your abilities far outmatch mine in many ways."

Purpearl calms down, but continues to stand in front of Chauncey, "What is it about Xu and this temple that piqued your interest and what is the power that you and your Master seek in Etheria? " Purpearl recalls the power that Lord Aventine imparted to her before he died, and wonders if that is the reason for Chauncey's hand of peace and motivation. There might be other reasons, of course, and Purpearl continues to be cautious before Chauncey.

Edited November 8, 2015 by Purpearljellyblob

[JimBee]

Hybros nods to Arthur and Miirym before entering the teahouse and sitting down. "Find anything new?"

He looked Kiga in the eyes.

[Zepher]

At the Training Grounds

Yu Shu

Focus: 5

Health: 7

Note: Due to her recovering body, attacking costs Yu Shu 1 health as well as 3 focus.

Hoke

Focus: 4

Health: 7

Rules:

Attack: Costs 3 focus. Deals damage= focus-cost of attack.

Focus: Gain 2 focus.

Parry: Avoid all damage for the round. Costs 1 focus.

At the Vault

"We both knew the risks, yes. And I do not, despite your insistence as to the opposite, revel in my friend's death. Not Zelphie's, and not Aventine's, though admittedly the latter had fallen into dark arts himself. But what would you have me do. Walk to that field, accept the Master of Regret's punishment, and allow Aventine to live and benefit off his cowardice? No. You know as well as I do that the Lord of the Past was not going to welch on that bet."

"Xu attracted me in my youth. As you know, Aventine and I studied under Master Amarcolm in the Free Island, Uland. It was there that we met the Master of Regret and his witches. But our tenure under our master came to an end. Aventine ventured north, to Vartland, to seek the council of the Cold Circles. I myself went East, and found this temple. I have often been intrigued- and perhaps you will find me hypocritical in this- by the ego of us mortals. What characteristic do we possess that places us out of nature, out of time, to be watched and protected by Gods? I fear that there is none. We are not so special, we are merely part of a great cosmic song. We are but one note, sustained until we are no longer." He shrugs. "I found some answers here. Beauty in all, harmony in all, and power too."

At the Tea House

As Hybros addresses Arthur, Master Kiga coughs politely and holds a finger to his lips. After pouring the tea, he gestures that they may continue their conversation.

[Purpearljellyblob]

"Aventine may be a coward, but that does not make anyone of you any braver by pitting someone else's life for power. Justify it as you will, to me it is simple; murdering for power." Purpearl shrugs.

"But you speak passionately about this knowledge that you pursue. I learnt that you seek to resurrect the Old Gods, including Regret. For what purpose? Is this what you and your Master ultimately seek to achieve, for more power?" Leaning closer to Chauncey, "But I ask you this. This lifelong pursuit, do you fear that one day all the knowledge that you've gained and the power amassed will be lost forever?"

[UsernameMDM]

Parry

Focus

[Zepher]

"Aventine may be a coward, but that does not make anyone of you any braver by pitting someone else's life for power. Justify it as you will, to me it is simple; murdering for power." Purpearl shrugs.

"But you speak passionately about this knowledge that you pursue. I learnt that you seek to resurrect the Old Gods, including Regret. For what purpose? Is this what you and your Master ultimately seek to achieve, for more power?" Leaning closer to Chauncey, "But I ask you this. This lifelong pursuit, do you fear that one day all the knowledge that you've gained and the power amassed will be lost forever?"

"Each time you accuse me for being at fault for the bet, you accuse Aventine as well." He smiles. "You are wise, Lady Purpearl, but no I do not fear time. Do you think I do not know of the Fountain of Youth that your companions are now tracking down? I could too have gone that way, or asked the good Doctor to collect me but a drop. But I have not. As I proved to you on the planes of Uland, I value my own life, but I value even more the community. We are individuals, but we are also the universe. I am my mother and my father, living on, and so too shall my knowledge live on in one way or another, even if this conversation itself is lost to time."

Parry

Focus

Round One

Yu Shu Focuses (+2 Focus)

Hoke Parries (-1 Focus)

Round Two

Yu Shu Attacks (-3 Focus, 4 Damage, 1 Damage Self)

Hoke Focuses (+2 Focus)

Yu Shu

Focus: 4

Health: 6

Note: Due to her recovering body, attacking costs Yu Shu 1 health as well as 3 focus.

Hoke

Focus: 5

Health: 3

Rules:

Attack: Costs 3 focus. Deals damage= focus-cost of attack.

Focus: Gain 2 focus.

Parry: Avoid all damage for the round. Costs 1 focus.

"This isn't half bad," growls Yu Shu as she begins to pant.

[UsernameMDM]

Focus

Focus

Attack

Edited November 9, 2015 by UsernameMDM

[JimBee]

Hybros goes quiet and sips his tea.

[Flipz]

Hybros nods to Arthur and Miirym before entering the teahouse and sitting down. "Find anything new?"

He looked Kiga in the eyes.

Arthur shakes his own head, dropping into the chair heavily, as if tired. He sips his own tea in silence, while Miirym looks expectantly at Kiga, awaiting a drinking vessel large enough to accommodate her.

[Zepher]

Round Three

Yu Shu Focuses (+2 Focus)

Hoke Focuses (+2 Focus)

Round Four

Yu Shu Parries (-1 Focus)

Hoke Focuses (+2 Focus)

Round Five

Yu Shu Attacks (5-3=2 Damage, 1 Damage Self)

Hoke Attacks (9-3=6 Damage, Victory)

Hoke is able to beat the defensive Yu Shu. She drops her blade, clearly exhausted, and Master Jin rushes to help steady her.

"Well fought," she growls. "Thanks for going all out. Don't hate anything more than pity. Let's give it another shot tomorrow."

Hoke feels slightly more experienced (+1 exp, not effected by Medal of Glory [sorry, but since it's not a real battle I feel that would be unfair]).

OoC: Also, JimBee and Arthur, I thought I had Chauncey explain but I did not. You may talk once the tea has been poured! Sorry, know it's a little weird to hone in on, and it's really nothing but a cultural design haha. But feel free to converse now! You've still got a while at the temple, and I know it's a little tiring, but the best way to pass it is to swap war stories or ideas. And quite a few of you are pretty close to cracking what's up!

[Flipz]

Arthur sighs heavily. "This trip's taken a lot out of me. I don't remember being this consistently exhausted back when I was a Hero. I wonder if the Veterans' protection had anything to do with it." Arthur takes another sip of his tea, tapping a finger against the glass as he considers his options. "All right, Hybros," he finally says, setting the cup down, "I'm going to level with you, since you're the only one in our party I feel like I can fully trust. I don't think the First Breath is a physical artifact, I think it's a technique, a physical and spiritual state one achieves after enough patience and dedication. The Vault is...for lack of a better word, a focus, a clue in the grander scheme. And speaking of grander schemes..."

Miirym watches Arthur intently, noting some of her earlier attitude reflected in Arthur's own eyes. The Dragoon leans forward, looking beneath Hybros' hat and straight into the imp's eyes.

"Hybros. I feel like there's a larger game being played here, and I'm running short on pieces. My best assets are not my weapons and armor, but my mind and my heart. If there's anything you can do to shed some light on the situation, it would greatly increase my effectiveness. Otherwise, I'm just going to be stumbling around in the dark, not really able to help anyone."

[JimBee]

Arthur sighs heavily. "This trip's taken a lot out of me. I don't remember being this consistently exhausted back when I was a Hero. I wonder if the Veterans' protection had anything to do with it." Arthur takes another sip of his tea, tapping a finger against the glass as he considers his options. "All right, Hybros," he finally says, setting the cup down, "I'm going to level with you, since you're the only one in our party I feel like I can fully trust. I don't think the First Breath is a physical artifact, I think it's a technique, a physical and spiritual state one achieves after enough patience and dedication. The Vault is...for lack of a better word, a focus, a clue in the grander scheme. And speaking of grander schemes..."

Miirym watches Arthur intently, noting some of her earlier attitude reflected in Arthur's own eyes. The Dragoon leans forward, looking beneath Hybros' hat and straight into the imp's eyes.

"Hybros. I feel like there's a larger game being played here, and I'm running short on pieces. My best assets are not my weapons and armor, but my mind and my heart. If there's anything you can do to shed some light on the situation, it would greatly increase my effectiveness. Otherwise, I'm just going to be stumbling around in the dark, not really able to help anyone."

"I see... I knew it was not going to be simple. I think you are right, Arthur. The answers are not coming easily, and we do not have much time."

He paused for a minute, staring into his tea. "Guffington is dying. You probably figured that out already, but the reason we are on this quest is to fulfill his last wishes. He is a great man. Someone such as him must leave a legacy behind, so whatever artifacts we are gathering and for whatever scheme, there is something big. I am as much in the dark as you are, but I trust Guffington to do what is right. As you said there is a larger game here, but we are the pieces... I have lost much sleep on this journey thinking about how we are affecting things. Back in Dastan we altered the fate of a whole empire. Dragons, the Golden Crusade, these Old Gods that you speak of... they must all be pieces too, or maybe even the players."

Hybros finally looked up. He glanced at Kiga nervously, then back into Arthur's eyes. "What else can we do but our job? Guffington will not tell us until he is ready. I think that will be on his deathbed. Until then, I trust him to do good for this world, and I am his loyal servant."

[Purpearljellyblob]

"Each time you accuse me for being at fault for the bet, you accuse Aventine as well." He smiles. "You are wise, Lady Purpearl, but no I do not fear time. Do you think I do not know of the Fountain of Youth that your companions are now tracking down? I could too have gone that way, or asked the good Doctor to collect me but a drop. But I have not. As I proved to you on the planes of Uland, I value my own life, but I value even more the community. We are individuals, but we are also the universe. I am my mother and my father, living on, and so too shall my knowledge live on in one way or another, even if this conversation itself is lost to time."

"Words are merely words, Chauncey." Purpearl shakes her head, "There is no wrong in pursuing power, I desire power, I train to get stronger, to achieve new heights. But your approach is almost cultish, almost unnatural. The universe will have her ways to balance everything out, Chauncey." Pointing to her head, "All that power Aventine pursued for his entire life had gone to waste, except for a small part which he scrambled to preserve. You are only human, there is only so much power a collection of flesh can possess. That time will come when you eventually meet your match, perhaps that not of this world, and end up in a situation similar to Aventine, betrayed, hunted and helpless. Have you not considered that possibility?"

Edited November 10, 2015 by Purpearljellyblob

[UsernameMDM]

Round Three

Yu Shu Focuses (+2 Focus)

Hoke Focuses (+2 Focus)

Round Four

Yu Shu Parries (-1 Focus)

Hoke Focuses (+2 Focus)

Round Five

Yu Shu Attacks (5-3=2 Damage, 1 Damage Self)

Hoke Attacks (9-3=6 Damage, Victory)

Hoke is able to beat the defensive Yu Shu. She drops her blade, clearly exhausted, and Master Jin rushes to help steady her.

"Well fought," she growls. "Thanks for going all out. Don't hate anything more than pity. Let's give it another shot tomorrow."

Hoke feels slightly more experienced (+1 exp, not effected by Medal of Glory [sorry, but since it's not a real battle I feel that would be unfair]).

NP, I will take XP however I can get it!

Hoke nods to Yu Shu and dismisses Zoot's Order.

[Flipz]

"I see... I knew it was not going to be simple. I think you are right, Arthur. The answers are not coming easily, and we do not have much time."

He paused for a minute, staring into his tea. "Guffington is dying. You probably figured that out already, but the reason we are on this quest is to fulfill his last wishes. He is a great man. Someone such as him must leave a legacy behind, so whatever artifacts we are gathering and for whatever scheme, there is something big. I am as much in the dark as you are, but I trust Guffington to do what is right. As you said there is a larger game here, but we are the pieces... I have lost much sleep on this journey thinking about how we are affecting things. Back in Dastan we altered the fate of a whole empire. Dragons, the Golden Crusade, these Old Gods that you speak of... they must all be pieces too, or maybe even the players."

Hybros finally looked up. He glanced at Kiga nervously, then back into Arthur's eyes. "What else can we do but our job? Guffington will not tell us until he is ready. I think that will be on his deathbed. Until then, I trust him to do good for this world, and I am his loyal servant."

Arthur is quite taken aback by the news. "I...hadn't, actually. I'd never considered..."

Arthur stares off thoughtfully. "I think...Lord Chauncey might be one of the players as well. He certainly seems to know more than any of us. But Purpearl and Hoke seem determined to remove him from the board, and I can't help but get the feeling that trying--let alone succeeding--could be a tremendous mistake. You don't just start removing pieces before you can see the whole game, it's tactical suicide. And Guffington seems to trust him, too, which from my perspective is a huge point in Chauncey's favor. I don't know, I guess I'm just worried the others might do something rash, and I'm not sure how to handle the situation."