Heroica RPG - Quest #139: Around the World

[Scubacarrot]

The first thing Guts does is divide the remaining loot between the three Baltarok heroes.

Matthias:

Garnet

Bones x4,

Grand Tonic

120 Gold

Dyric

Raw Meat (+5 max. health),

Potion

Phoenix Essence,

Smoke Bomb

Ancient Bone,

Guts:

Elixir x3,

[Scubacarrot]

"Alright Zeus, I'd like a Scroll of Disenchantment, a Scroll of Poisoning, a Scroll of Minimizing, and could you give me a quote on a hunk of Adamantite?"

[Purpearljellyblob]

Purpearl teleports to the room of crystals and finds the forge master for some etherial gems and amethysts.

[UsernameMDM]

"I hate this place," Hoke mutters to Torc as space, time, and quest mates flash, appear and zip away almost indecipherably.

He walks up with Hybros as the imp interrupts the conversation.

[Zepher]

OoC: Purpearl, I'm sorry, I'll be moving you onto the Forge Master tomorrow, I've been very busy lately. Just need to photograph that set with light!

Oh. Well then I'll just be buying the crystal shoes.

"Sure thing! That'll just be 444 gold, and your name. I don't like to do business with people who don't introduce themselves!"

"You didn't introduce yourself."

"Yes, but they already knew my name!"

"I was not able to make much sense of the vision either. I had another when we retrieved the Dragon Heart Flame. Perhaps it will be better if we piece together our information in a quiet place."

Hybros nodded. "Let us, as soon as we are done here. Perhaps it would be wise to wait for Purpearl, anyways."

"Yes, that is exactly what we are hoping to do. Piece together some sort of coherent answer. Your fellow heroes seemed more than disappointed that I didn't have an answer for them yet, but equally afraid of seeking answers on our own. They would make poor scientists two times over."

The imp sidles up next to Hoke and listens in on a conversation in the meantime.

He approaches the pair unabashedly. "Ehehm... I could not help but to overhear... You say you are unsatisfied with the council here? Forgive me, I am new to the way things work around here, but I have heard that anyone can be on the council. If you seek change, why not try to join yourselves?"

The were bat clears his throat uncomfortably.

"I'm sorry. You weren't meant to hear that." He glances nervously at Bombast and clears his throat again. "It is hardly the Council's fault, what we're complaining about."

"No, I'm glad they overheard."

"But truly, it is not the Council's fault." The were bat offers a claw to Hybros. "My name is Luis Sophocles, and I am the Head of the Historical Society here in Etheria. Just as there is much to be learned about the future of magic, there are many things to be uncovered in the past." Daneeka, overhearing the conversation, also draws closer. "The collective memories of the island are stored in skulls in the Room of Dreams. They are protected by the Memory Keeper. But he won't allow me access to some of the oldest skulls, some complaints about them being too old and delicate to handle. It's a lie, of course. He's just trying to protect the secrets they hold - heavens knows why. Maybe he just wants them for himself. The Council won't intercede on my behalf. They claim that is not in their purview, which is true enough, but they could twist his arm if they wanted. Especially the Mother. Which is why I think she has purposely left those skulls alone. But truth be told, that's her business."

"Don't turn cowardly now, Luis." She turns to the heroes. "That's not the only thing that the Council keeps hidden. There are a number of rooms throughout the island that we are not allowed access to."

"But again, that's not the Council but the Void Masters, who would decide that..."

"Stuff it, Luis. It's the same situation. Melqiuades has banned all travel to the Frozen Room in the last few years, and he won't even let us know why."

"But that's different all together. He won't even allow Iceborn in there anymore."

"It used to be a place where the Ice Mages and Necromancers of the Island could train and improve our skills the most, but now he's all haughty and tight-lipped about it. Bah!"

"Alright Zeus, I'd like a Scroll of Disenchantment, a Scroll of Poisoning, a Scroll of Minimizing, and could you give me a quote on a hunk of Adamantite?"

"As I said to your friend, I'd require a name first!" Zeus chuckles and flares as he searches through his chest. "The scrolls would be 600 gold total. A full Adamantite Ore would cost you 6000 gold. Things of the earth are also not exactly my speciality, I must apologize. You'd do better to ask your dwarves friend!" Zeus indicates Matthias.

[The Legonater]

The name is Dyric Rone, and thank you for your services

[JimBee]

Hybros shook the Luis' hand. "Hybros. There must be a good reason these places are off-limits, though if this place were a true democracy like Piglina likes to say, then you should at least know why. It seems I have much to speak about with Iceborn, perhaps he has some answers. He does seem to be a the center of many things around here. Ehehm,... there must be quite the collection in the Room of Dreams. I can not imagine all the information in all of the minds who have ever lived on this island. What can you tell me about the Memory Keeper? Is there anything that would get him to allow access to the skulls?"

The imp shook his head and muttered to Hoke, "This place gets more unusual by the minute, eheh. We are strangers here, but I can not help but to feel that something is off. Eubric is no stranger to secrets, but... hm..." he trailed off, trying to shake the feeling of suspicion.

[UsernameMDM]

The were bat clears his throat uncomfortably.

"I'm sorry. You weren't meant to hear that." He glances nervously at Bombast and clears his throat again. "It is hardly the Council's fault, what we're complaining about."

"No, I'm glad they overheard."

"But truly, it is not the Council's fault." The were bat offers a claw to Hybros. "My name is Luis Sophocles, and I am the Head of the Historical Society here in Etheria. Just as there is much to be learned about the future of magic, there are many things to be uncovered in the past." Daneeka, overhearing the conversation, also draws closer. "The collective memories of the island are stored in skulls in the Room of Dreams. They are protected by the Memory Keeper. But he won't allow me access to some of the oldest skulls, some complaints about them being too old and delicate to handle. It's a lie, of course. He's just trying to protect the secrets they hold - heavens knows why. Maybe he just wants them for himself. The Council won't intercede on my behalf. They claim that is not in their purview, which is true enough, but they could twist his arm if they wanted. Especially the Mother. Which is why I think she has purposely left those skulls alone. But truth be told, that's her business."

"Don't turn cowardly now, Luis." She turns to the heroes. "That's not the only thing that the Council keeps hidden. There are a number of rooms throughout the island that we are not allowed access to."

"But again, that's not the Council but the Void Masters, who would decide that..."

"Stuff it, Luis. It's the same situation. Melqiuades has banned all travel to the Frozen Room in the last few years, and he won't even let us know why."

"But that's different all together. He won't even allow Iceborn in there anymore."

"It used to be a place where the Ice Mages and Necromancers of the Island could train and improve our skills the most, but now he's all haughty and tight-lipped about it. Bah!"

"So what is your plan to remedy this?"

The imp shook his head and muttered to Hoke, "This place gets more unusual by the minute, eheh. We are strangers here, but I can not help but to feel that something is off. Eubric is no stranger to secrets, but... hm..." he trailed off, trying to shake the feeling of suspicion.

"I feel the same Hybros," Hoke confides in the imp,"This whole ordeal has the foundational stability of shifting sands. And I don't mean just the Etheria."

[JimBee]

"I feel the same Hybros," Hoke confides in the imp,"This whole ordeal has the foundational stability of shifting sands. And I don't mean just the Etheria."

He nodded. "You should share your thoughts when we meet in the Mother's office. It is important that we share our concerns with one another."

[Scubacarrot]

"Ah, how rude of me, Captain Guts Holla is the name. Pleasure. I'll take the Scrolls, Zeus, the Adamantite is slightly too rich for me, I'm afraid. I'll sell you this Crystal Ball I have, too. Now tell me, is there a world in which an enterprising man like yourself does not have something truly special hidden away in the back, something that no one has ever seen, for the right buyer, for the right price?"

[StickFig]

Sorry all, thought I had subscribed to the thread but I wasn't getting any emails so I thought no one was posting the last couple of days... then that felt weird, so I checked today and of course there are several pages missing Matthias!

Matthias comes out of what can only be an ether-overdose trance and the last hour tumbles into his mind in a matter of seconds. He finds himself standing at Zeus' counter, not certain exactly how he knows the elemental's name, and encounters a powerful urge to buy something. "My name is Matthias," he says, feeling for some reason that the merchant will appreciate knowing his customer, "and I'd be much obliged if you could find me a Scroll of Blinding and a pair of Greaves of the Aubergine Dragoon. Also, how much for a single Adamantite Shard?" As the time lapse continues through his brain, the gnome adds, "In any case, I'm not a dwarf. See the hat?"

Matthias

the Carnival Crusader (StickFig)

Level 26 Druid

*Gains 10 gold for each Humanoid killed* *Immune to

Bound

,

Slowed

*

Power Bonus

: 20 (+2 WP)

Defense

: 4

Health

: 23/36

Ether

: 6/26

Gold:

1432

Equipment

: Restored Fireball Extraordinaire (WP:9, also hits enemies listed above and below the target,

Darkness

- and

Lightning

-elemental, user is

Slowed

, hand cannon, poisoned -10), Hunter's Plate (SP:4, wearer gains 10 gold for each Humanoid killed, suitable for rogues, rangers, barbarians, beast warriors, infiltrators, regulators, and winged warriors) (Dreyrugr), Winged Sandals (Protects from

Bound

and

Slowed

effects, footwear), DDSSA (+2 health, +2 WP, +10 power)

Inventory

: Peashooter (WP:2, deals Burning -2, hand cannon), Pongcanis Crossbow (WP:8, crossbow), XX Handcannon Replica (WP:12, pierces defense, hand cannon), Garnet (

), Ruby (

Fire

), 8x Bone, Deadly Venom, 2x Elixir, Grand Potion, Grand Tonic, Grating Stone, Potion, 2x Red Death Blood, 4x Remedy, 4x Tonic, Doomsday Bomb (Deals 99 damage, bomb), 2x Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Dapper Hat (This amazingly dapper hat gives the wearer a ⅙ chance of being

Encouraged

at the start of any battle, headwear), Crocodile Handbag (Max. ether +2, immunity to water; accessory), 2x Phoenix Essence, Opal, Anvil of Oleg (Quest Item)

Put that there so I don't forget the loot Guts just distributed or the Grogmas event gift.

Edited January 12, 2016 by StickFig

[UsernameMDM]

He nodded. "You should share your thoughts when we meet in the Mother's office. It is important that we share our concerns with one another."

"I believe I have, many times on the quest, so much so, that you and Arthur were highly displeased with my assessment."

[Flipz]

"I believe I have, many times on the quest, so much so, that you and Arthur were highly displeased with my assessment."

Miirym sniffs haughtily. "<There is a difference between disagreement and death threats, Sir Ablesword. If I am completely honest, I can imagine our task going terribly wrong. But that is no reason to threaten the life of an ally, especially one who has shown us and our employer nothing but kindness and understanding.>"

[UsernameMDM]

Miirym sniffs haughtily. "<There is a difference between disagreement and death threats, Sir Ablesword. If I am completely honest, I can imagine our task going terribly wrong. But that is no reason to threaten the life of an ally, especially one who has shown us and our employer nothing but kindness and understanding.>"

Torc eyes the smaller dragon, not sure whether to be amused or not.

"It would seem you, as well as your human, take offense rather too quickly. I would think a dragon as well as its dragoon would have thicker skin. And you would do well to brush up on subtle humor. But alas, there is very little about Arthur that is subtle, and methinks his dragon is the same way,"

Hoke looks Arthur with a disarming chuckle, "Temperamental, yes. Subtle, not at all."

[Zepher]

The name is Dyric Rone, and thank you for your services

"Absolutely any time, Mr. Rone!"

Hybros shook the Luis' hand. "Hybros. There must be a good reason these places are off-limits, though if this place were a true democracy like Piglina likes to say, then you should at least know why. It seems I have much to speak about with Iceborn, perhaps he has some answers. He does seem to be a the center of many things around here. Ehehm,... there must be quite the collection in the Room of Dreams. I can not imagine all the information in all of the minds who have ever lived on this island. What can you tell me about the Memory Keeper? Is there anything that would get him to allow access to the skulls?"

The imp shook his head and muttered to Hoke, "This place gets more unusual by the minute, eheh. We are strangers here, but I can not help but to feel that something is off. Eubric is no stranger to secrets, but... hm..." he trailed off, trying to shake the feeling of suspicion.

"Heh heh, it's not a true democracy, it's a free island. I know that you in Eubric Free Port purport to be free, heh heh, but here the peoples are truly free. It is not as if Piglina has chosen to expel us from those rooms. She cannot get us there, and Melqiuades is free to refuse his services, and to ask his fellow Void Masters to honor his wishes. Of course, if we were to offer good enough incentive, Melqiuades or one of his fellow Void Masters may be swayed. We haven't stumbled upon it quite yet, though."

"The Memory Keeper and I are usually the best of friends, as you might expect with my position, heh heh. He's a good man, and the second oldest inhabitant on the island, after The Mother. But he's fiercely loyal to her, even more than he is to me. So you'd be hard pressed to get him to give up the skulls with the information I need. That being said, anyone can be coerced. I don't know with what, but that much must be obvious, or else we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"So what is your plan to remedy this?"

"Remedy it? Allowing others their free will is not a disease. It just means we have to be more cunning."

"The Council should be able to order the opening of the rooms! You know that if Melqiuades was really asked by all of them he'd allow us entrance! They just need to stand behind Iceborn!" She turns to the heroes. "If you can get me into that room, I have a few Etherial Opals I'd be willing to part with."

"Ah, how rude of me, Captain Guts Holla is the name. Pleasure. I'll take the Scrolls, Zeus, the Adamantite is slightly too rich for me, I'm afraid. I'll sell you this Crystal Ball I have, too. Now tell me, is there a world in which an enterprising man like yourself does not have something truly special hidden away in the back, something that no one has ever seen, for the right buyer, for the right price?"

"Hm," he take the Cyrstal Ball and appraises it. "Not nearly as nice as your friends. I'll give you 398 for it." He holds the Ball in one hand as Guts considers his offer, but chuckles as Guts refers to hidden stores. "Speaking to another merchant, am I? Of course, I keep my best wares hidden far and away, for myself and friends. Can't let the rabble get their hands on just anything! Hm, didn't know you were a fellow merchant. I guess you saw right through my ruse with this Ball, no? I'll give you 401 gold for it. How's that sound?"

Matthias comes out of what can only be an ether-overdose trance and the last hour tumbles into his mind in a matter of seconds. He finds himself standing at Zeus' counter, not certain exactly how he knows the elemental's name, and encounters a powerful urge to buy something. "My name is Matthias," he says, feeling for some reason that the merchant will appreciate knowing his customer, "and I'd be much obliged if you could find me a Scroll of Blinding and a pair of Greaves of the Aubergine Dragoon. Also, how much for a single Adamantite Shard?" As the time lapse continues through his brain, the gnome adds, "In any case, I'm not a dwarf. See the hat?"

"The scroll will be 200 gold, the Greaves... another Shadeaux ware... hm... I'd say a good 400 gold. I apologize for their steep price, but the Shadeaux do not train many dragoons, and most they have trained are still using their greaves. And a single Adamanite Shard, by doing simple math... 1500 gold!" Zeus assesses the gnome. "I'm sorry about that race snafu, we don't get many gnomes nor dwarves in here. Mostly not magicians, and those that are stay within their caves as far as I can tell. But it is indeed a pleasure to meet one, Matthias! And a ether user no less. Have you ever considered studying the casting of spells? Having lightning at your disposal would be a huge benefit!"

------ OoC: Very sorry, Purpearl, I will have to move you on without pictures for the moment. Will edit them in tomorrow. Cannot find the pieces I intended to use for the room, it's a little absurd! Can't imagine where I put them, I had them all aside in a little bin that I've misplaced... somewhere.

Purpearl arrives at her destination, and for once Melqiuades sticks around for a little bit. The room is dark and vast, but everywhere in the darkness crystals glow. Sure as can be, most of them are topazes, but a few others are sprinkled in.

Purpearl is so taken by the sight she fails to recognize the host of the room. A strange orange creature with a mask on turns to face her.

"Can I help you?" he rasps out gutturally.

[The Legonater]

Hey, Zeus, what would you take for this Crystal Ball?

[Purpearljellyblob]

"Yes, mage here looking for ethereal gems."

[StickFig]

Matthias is nonplussed. Between the dwarf confusion and absurd prices this merchant isn't impressing the diminutive druid. "I'll give you half that on the greaves and scroll of blinding - a fair price by Eubric standards - and I'll take one each of your in-house scrolls. In any case, I already have lightning at my disposal," he adds, patting the Extraordinaire. As he caresses his favorite firearm, his fingers surprise him by finding an extra barrel; he's momentarily astonished to find something very like XX's hand cannon slung on his own back. Not sure what to make of it, he decides to focus on his bargaining and examine the new gonne later.

Edited January 13, 2016 by StickFig

[Flipz]

Miirym finally takes note of Arthur's unusual silence. "<Are you all right, Arthur?>"

"M'fine," he mumbles.

Miirym stares stubbornly at him.

"I just saw something I wish I hadn't seen, all right?"

Miirym raises an eye ridge--no doubt a habit she'd picked up from Arthur himself.

"Leave it," Arthur warns. He wanders over to Zeus. "Zeus, my friend, I was wondering, as head of the Merchant Guild, surely you know all of the shopkeeps and artisans on the island. Is there anywhere I could go to have my weapons improved, reforged, perhaps even fused? I'd love to put a more magical kick into them than mere gems can provide, even gems as wonderful as the one you sold me."

Miirym shakes her head and goes back over to Hoke and Hybros.

"Heh heh, it's not a true democracy, it's a free island. I know that you in Eubric Free Port purport to be free, heh heh, but here the peoples are truly free. It is not as if Piglina has chosen to expel us from those rooms. She cannot get us there, and Melqiuades is free to refuse his services, and to ask his fellow Void Masters to honor his wishes. Of course, if we were to offer good enough incentive, Melqiuades or one of his fellow Void Masters may be swayed. We haven't stumbled upon it quite yet, though."

"The Memory Keeper and I are usually the best of friends, as you might expect with my position, heh heh. He's a good man, and the second oldest inhabitant on the island, after The Mother. But he's fiercely loyal to her, even more than he is to me. So you'd be hard pressed to get him to give up the skulls with the information I need. That being said, anyone can be coerced. I don't know with what, but that much must be obvious, or else we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"Remedy it? Allowing others their free will is not a disease. It just means we have to be more cunning."

"The Council should be able to order the opening of the rooms! You know that if Melqiuades was really asked by all of them he'd allow us entrance! They just need to stand behind Iceborn!" She turns to the heroes. "If you can get me into that room, I have a few Etherial Opals I'd be willing to part with."

Miirym's brow furrows in concentration. She lowers her "voice" to include only Hoke and Hybros. "<Hmm...I get the feeling that we, too, may need to examine those skulls in the course of investigating our party's visions. Perhaps we should meet in The Mother's office before we embark on that particular journey?>"

Miirym resumes addressing the general vicinity. "<Forgive the intrusion. I am named Miirym. My partner Arthur Ziegfried began as an Ice mage himself, so I am sure he would be sympathetic to your desires. Do you have any idea what might have prompted Melquiades to seal the room in the first place? It could be conducive to our negotiations.>"

[Scubacarrot]

"Hm," he take the Cyrstal Ball and appraises it. "Not nearly as nice as your friends. I'll give you 398 for it." He holds the Ball in one hand as Guts considers his offer, but chuckles as Guts refers to hidden stores. "Speaking to another merchant, am I? Of course, I keep my best wares hidden far and away, for myself and friends. Can't let the rabble get their hands on just anything! Hm, didn't know you were a fellow merchant. I guess you saw right through my ruse with this Ball, no? I'll give you 401 gold for it. How's that sound?"

"Not a merchant for many years now, just... appreciative of quality. 401 gold it is." Guts also purchases 10 Level-up Mushrooms and a Mail of the Renegade Commander. (For 4400?) After that he calls Melquiades to bring him to Hybros. The Marauder grins and nods his greeting as he sees Hoke.

"Right, where do you want me? How many of this council do we need to convince?"

Edited January 13, 2016 by Scubacarrot

[JimBee]

"I will see what I can do about getting into those rooms. Like you say, anyone can be convinced with something. We will just have to find what that is, heheh."

"Not a merchant for many years now, just... appreciative of quality. 401 gold it is." Guts also purchases 10 Level-up Mushrooms and a Mail of the Renegade Commander. (For 4400?) After that he calls Melquiades to bring him to Hybros. The Marauder grins and nods his greeting as he sees Hoke.

"Right, where do you want me? How many of this council do we need to convince?"

"There is no need to call Melquiades if we are in the same room. I am right here, heheheh. If you are done here, we will all need to go to the Mother's office to meet with Guffington and Chauncey. They will have the answers we seek, and we can compile all of our information there. After, I would like you to come with me to speak to Iceborn, Guts. Dyric and Hoke as well, if they like. He is related to the Cold Circle somehow, and we know too well what that could mean. There are also a few other things I would like to ask him about. He seems to be deeply embedded in many of things around here."

"I believe I have, many times on the quest, so much so, that you and Arthur were highly displeased with my assessment."

"Miirym is right. We only stopped you from harming our employer. You should share your concerns at the meeting. Now that we have everyone together, perhaps there will be more clarity and we may come to an understanding."

Hybros looked around. "Is everyone ready? Melquiades, the Mother's office."

[Flipz]

As soon as Arthur has his answer from Zeus and Miirym hers from the Norn, they call Melquiades to take them to The Mother's office.

[UsernameMDM]

"The Memory Keeper and I are usually the best of friends, as you might expect with my position, heh heh. He's a good man, and the second oldest inhabitant on the island, after The Mother. But he's fiercely loyal to her, even more than he is to me. So you'd be hard pressed to get him to give up the skulls with the information I need. That being said, anyone can be coerced. I don't know with what, but that much must be obvious, or else we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"What do you know about these particular skulls?"

"Remedy it? Allowing others their free will is not a disease. It just means we have to be more cunning."

Hoke shakes his head.

"Obviously."

"The Council should be able to order the opening of the rooms! You know that if Melqiuades was really asked by all of them he'd allow us entrance! They just need to stand behind Iceborn!" She turns to the heroes. "If you can get me into that room, I have a few Etherial Opals I'd be willing to part with."

"I will help you on this. I too would like a look into this room. I have something that may come in handy there."

"Miirym is right. We only stopped you from harming our employer. You should share your concerns at the meeting. Now that we have everyone together, perhaps there will be more clarity and we may come to an understanding."

"I never intended to harm our employer. It's the thing he proposes to do that I say I may have to kill. For such big ears you don't listen very well."

Hybros looked around. "Is everyone ready? Melquiades, the Mother's office."

"Let us go."

[The Legonater]

After talking to Zeus I follow the others.

[Zepher]

OoC: Hey all, I'm so sorry, I have been very busy this last week and the next week and a half I will be equally if not more busy. I am going to continue to try my very best to keep to the 24 hour guidelines! You've all been so great and understanding throughout various delays, I'm trying to not put you through another one, so I'm still going to do one update a day even if they're not exactly 24 hours.

Hey, Zeus, what would you take for this Crystal Ball?

"Hm, yes, have taken in a lot of crystal balls today, and many that were better than this one, if you don't mind me saying! I'd give you 97 gold for it!"

"Yes, mage here looking for ethereal gems."

OoC: This is my stand in picture, until I can find the pieces I want. Still incredibly angry at myself for that misplacement...

"Gems, hm..." the Forge Master assesses Purpearl. "Out of town, hm? Where'd you hear about this place anyway?"

"Leave it," Arthur warns. He wanders over to Zeus. "Zeus, my friend, I was wondering, as head of the Merchant Guild, surely you know all of the shopkeeps and artisans on the island. Is there anywhere I could go to have my weapons improved, reforged, perhaps even fused? I'd love to put a more magical kick into them than mere gems can provide, even gems as wonderful as the one you sold me."

Miirym shakes her head and goes back over to Hoke and Hybros.

Miirym's brow furrows in concentration. She lowers her "voice" to include only Hoke and Hybros. "<Hmm...I get the feeling that we, too, may need to examine those skulls in the course of investigating our party's visions. Perhaps we should meet in The Mother's office before we embark on that particular journey?>"

Miirym resumes addressing the general vicinity. "<Forgive the intrusion. I am named Miirym. My partner Arthur Ziegfried began as an Ice mage himself, so I am sure he would be sympathetic to your desires. Do you have any idea what might have prompted Melquiades to seal the room in the first place? It could be conducive to our negotiations.>"

"Hm? Oh yes of course! We don't deal with weapons here often, outside of our staffs of course... those of us who need them, not me! I have the energy coursing through my very veins! But the Forge Master can fiddle with your weapons just fine, though I don't know if he has too many tricks up his sleeves besides forging etherial gems! If you want them joined with a weapon, though, he'd be your guy."

<His lips are as sealed as the room. He says that there is a 'bad energy'. Bunch of bull crap. If you ask me, he's just trying to prevent us from getting any stronger. Bunch of power hungry monsters on this island, and he's one of them, make no mistake.>

"Not a merchant for many years now, just... appreciative of quality. 401 gold it is." Guts also purchases 10 Level-up Mushrooms and a Mail of the Renegade Commander. (For 4400?) After that he calls Melquiades to bring him to Hybros. The Marauder grins and nods his greeting as he sees Hoke.

"Right, where do you want me? How many of this council do we need to convince?"

OoC: 10 Level-UP Mushrooms seems unfair to me. I don't want to not allow you to profit, but also don't want to allow an abuse of the system. Please forgive my interpretation of what might be fair.

"Hm, ten mushrooms?" Zeus roots around in his chest. "That is too much, my friend. I have suppliers just like anyone else, and just because we can warp things to each other doesn't mean they magically appear haha! So I'm afraid, if I'm hoping to maintain relations with other potential customers, the most I can give you is four!" The electrical elemental does whatever his equivalent of blushing is once more. "But for such a loyal customer, and for one I have to disappoint, I will gladly throw a fifth in for free. And the Mail should be no trouble what-so-ever."

"There is no need to call Melquiades if we are in the same room. I am right here, heheheh. If you are done here, we will all need to go to the Mother's office to meet with Guffington and Chauncey. They will have the answers we seek, and we can compile all of our information there. After, I would like you to come with me to speak to Iceborn, Guts. Dyric and Hoke as well, if they like. He is related to the Cold Circle somehow, and we know too well what that could mean. There are also a few other things I would like to ask him about. He seems to be deeply embedded in many of things around here."

"Miirym is right. We only stopped you from harming our employer. You should share your concerns at the meeting. Now that we have everyone together, perhaps there will be more clarity and we may come to an understanding."

Hybros looked around. "Is everyone ready? Melquiades, the Mother's office."

OoC: I am going to move everyone in the City Center (which is everyone excluding Purpearl) to the Mother's Room for the time being. Guts and Matthias, if you'd like to retro-actively conclude any transactions, that's a-okay.

Melquiades arrives in the City Center and assesses all the heroes, who are all prepared to go and have a little group pow wow. He smirks at them, Elba, U'Or, and Daneeka.

"Starting then? Okay. Let's go."

"Where are you headed?" asks Bombast curiously. "Matthias, Arthur, I hope you'll both come talk to me soon about your potential future controlling the weather of this very planet that we-"

"Sure thing, Bombast! Great talk. Now everyone join hands."

And then the heroes are gone, warping through time and space, picking up Lady Felix from a room they have so little time to look at they can't even identify, and finally landing in an enormous room. Amarcolm, Chauncey, Guffington and a winged creature wait for them.

"Amarcolm, if you wouldn't mind..."

"Lord Chauncey has asked me to stay."

"Of course. How foolish of me. Melquiades, if you wouldn't mind warding the room?"

"No problem, madam."

Melquiades leans against one of the walls, chanting quietly to himself. The other members of the expedition draw near.

"How caught up are they?"

"Decently enough, though they don't like what they know."

"The fear of the future is innate in most mortals. It is one of the greatest follies. Well, who will make sure we're all on the same page. Surely you've assigned someone, Chancey?"

"U'Or?"

"Ah, yes..." the U'Kin shuffles through papers. "As you've all become well aware at this point you're all well aware- ehem, excuse me, a little nervous. We're hoping to bring back to life, with the help of the artifacts that you've gathered, the Old God Passion. Now, I understand that some of the heroes I have travelled with are rather reticent of the idea..."

"And some of mine as well. They fear what he will bring with him."

"But the objections are pointless. They betray only a prejudice, and besides, our path is clear. If it is Gerald's last wish."

"Last favor, my friend, and no objections can be swept under the rug. The unknown is frightening for us all, especially those who must face it soon. Exciting, but frightening."

"Enough babble." The Mother turns to the heroes. "I understand your fears. I understand that most of you have met at least one of my brothers, if not both. So let me assuage any of your final fears before we move forward. I am the Mother of Hope, the Third and Final of the Old Gods. What do you still fear about bringing my brother Passion back from the other side? Hoke? Guts? Dyric? What questions do you still have?"