Heroica RPG - Quest #139: Around the World

[Zepher]

"That we do. And may always find us as well, should you ever be in trouble."

"Assuming you have the gold to pay us!" chuckles Ruffers good naturedly before saluting Matthias. "But truly, we must be off shortly! Horses travel far faster than my stead."

[StickFig]

Matthias smiles again at the crab, gives Sir Pigley one last questioning look, and turns to find his way back to Heroica Hall.

Thanks Zepher!

Edited June 3, 2016 by StickFig

[StickFig]

As Matthias winds his way through the streets, he absentmindedly picks at the Fireball Extraordinaire in his hands. Without realizing it, he begins to work the magic of the Anvil on his weapon, subtly improving the metal. (WP:10)

Whoops, thought I was still under the time limit to combine! Sorry about the double post!

[Zepher]

Side-Quest: Secret

Guffington is waiting for the two heroes right on the other side of the entrance, a glass of wine in hand.

"U'Or, please get my companions a drink," he says, and then turns to the two as U'Or rushes towards the kitchen. "What have you decided? Who shall go where?"

"Dyric and Matthias will join me to Baltarok and the Kingdoms, the rest will go to Dastan and Xu."

"Very well. I am sorry that you will not be traveling with me, but as I said, this is a time sensitive quest." U'Or returns with the wine. After handing it to the two heroes he bows and exits the room.

"I am sorry for the minor secrecy. I wished to tell you now so that it did not come as a surprise at the end, and while I am sure your friends are trustworthy, I simply have no way to absolutely know." He sighs. "I don't wish for news to reach the city. It is... well, I'm not sad to inform you, but not happy either of course... I am dying. No assassins or sleeping powder or anything sinister of that nature. Just age. Daneeka has run many tests, and there is nothing to be done for it. I've had a long and prosperous life, but there is no way to cheat death when it finally comes. That being said, I don't want to see what I've worked to create crumble. I'd like to continue to fund Daneeka, and continue to look after Elba and U'Or, as well as use my wealth to better this city that I call home. In Etheria we will be picking up someone who will take over my work." He shrugs. "I'm sorry for rambling so much. I just didn't want it to surprise you when we arrived in Etheria. I felt you both had a right to know."

"Very well. I am sorry that you will not be traveling with me, but as I said, this is a time sensitive quest." U'Or returns with the wine. After handing it to the two heroes he bows and exits the room.

Guts sips the wine and takes a moment to remark it's excellency, before responding to Guffington. "It can't be helped, but you'll be in good hands."

"I am dying."

The Marauder is quiet for a moment. "Time sensitive, huh. Are you... planning on coming back home? I hear Etheria is a beautiful place..."

The wine warms Guts' stomach and makes him feel inspired.

"Etheria will be the last place I see in this realm. But very few people can say that they've set foot in every land." Guffington chuckles. "How lucky. Surely the others will be waiting for us by now. Perhaps we should be on our way? I ask only that you keep this a secret until we depart Eubric. After that, you may tell the others or not. The choice will be yours. Are you prepared, my friends?"

"Very well. We're ready, I'll see you in Etheria, Gerald." Guts says as he finishes his wine.

Gerald nods and leads the two heroes back outside.

OoC: JimBee, feel free to retroactively have Hybros respond/take a drink. Or if not he and Guffington are traveling together.

Hybros politely sips the wine, but struggles to not pucker at the taste. Upon hearing the news, he looks a little sad. He had never really lost a friend before (not that he had many before Heroica), but he knew that death was inevitable for all beings.

"I... you will be missed, Guffington. You have done much for this city, and I am proud to call it the same home that you do." He bowed his head. "We will do our best to make this journey as smooth as possible." He looked to Guts, then rose and followed Guffington back out of the manor.

Miirym & Vipera

Miirym stands and circles, searching for Vipera; when she spots her fellow Dragon, she settles back down again and sends Vipera a mental message, smoke spewing ominously from her snout and spilling to the floor like fog.

"Vipera...am I really so young? He speaks as if I am a helpless babe, simply because I have not yet manifested my powers...but I am a Dragon. We break from the shell scaled and clawed, toughened for the trials of a harsh world...are we not? I am a fighter, I have the strength to stand by his side. I am named 'Guardian' in our tongue, why will he not let me be that for him? Why must he always be the one defending me?" Miirym seems genuinely upset by Arthur's underestimation of the near-youngling.

<I am sure that you think it would be a kindness if I were to tell you that you are older than Arthur thinks, but in dragon's eyes you both are young. But come, let us discuss this in flight. Your larger cousin wishes to see our city and has deigned to allow you to accompany us.>

Torc & Vipera

Still smirking, the large brown dragon exhales two tendrils of acidic smoke from her nostrils, her eyes molten pools of rich amber.

<Little sister, there seems to be much I can learn from you.> She conveys to the little green dragon.

<Little sister,> snorts Vipera. <If we go by size alone, but brawn is not a dragon's only gift.>

<I shall teach you and Miirym what I can in our time together. I am certain if you pay attention, you shall learn some gift. I am curious why you do not speak to the humans? Can you not project your thoughts to them?>

Torc chuckles at Vipera's snort.

<I saw your flame-in-flight,> Torc conveys as she lowers her head to come face-to-face with Vipera,<Size may not be paramount, but it is a necessity if I want to devour my enemies in fire and brimstone and for my Dragoon if he wishes to take flight with me. I wish to learn the other gifts of our kind. From here on, I shall be your disciple, Little Sister. In and out of battle, I shall heed your instruction.>

Torc looks over at Hoke, around the room at the other bi-pedal beings, and back at Vipera.

<There is no need to 'speak' with the others. As soon as I hatched in my Dragoon's hands, I knew who he was. As a youngling I perched in his armor, around his neck. My tail, talons and wings wrapped around him. His heartbeat became mine, and mine his.

We are one.>

She looks over at Hoke again.

<He is an honorable and noble being. I would die for him.>

<That is the ancient way of Dragon and Rider.> Vipera flicks her tongue out. <Shall we collect your younger cousin and fly over the city while the humans and elves sleep? Or is she too young for you?>

<Never too young to learn, although the lesson may come to fruition in years to come.>