Heroica RPG - Quest #139: Around the World (West)

[The Legonater]

It was good to see you've recovered, David. This trip has been... enlightening.

That's a good theory, boss. Seems to add up that such powerful magic would have some sort of twist to it like that. We should get to this fountain before someone else winds up like that crew.

[StickFig]

Matthias walks quietly for the most part as the party retraces their steps back down the coast, not particularly fond of the idea of encountering more necromancy and more interested in meditating on his vision of the anvil than in feeling the freezing cold whipping about them.

[Zepher]

While travelling, Guts tries to print the map in his mind, so he knows what landmarks the mark specifies.

"Speaking of being equipped, I hope we find a decent store soon, perhaps in Baltarok... And David, would you mind giving me my phoenix essences and the orb back? Who knows, we might run into this Captain at the fountain, and if he's anything like his crew, he's going to be a tough son of a bitch... Anyways, enough rambling. For what it's worth, I wish you and your father good fortune ruling over your land. Thank your father for me, for his hospitality, and supplying this expedition. We may not exactly have gotten what we wanted, but it happens. The gods can be generous and fickle both."

The Marauder tilted his head, then suggested to David.

"Hey... You don't suppose the fountain turns people undead don't you? If they found it, and drank from it, it would explain why they were far too lively for my tastes for being dead a whole while."

David returns Guts' items.

"I fear Carn cannot equip you as well as it once could. Carn once had a thriving downtown market, but it was burned to the ground and most of our merchants slaughtered. We have not been able to entirely rebuild yet. Wood is scarce here, and difficult to transport."

"As for the Fountain, it seems likely that the crew itself never made it that far. Especially with that map. But Captain Iceborn... that is possible. Likely, even. It is extremely rare for undead to outlive the necromancer that raised them. Which means whoever made the crew undead is assumedly still alive."

The heroes return to Carn around sundown. The great gates of the city open for them, and they return to the palace. Daneeka greets them.

"You do not look as rested as me." He rattles out. "How were your journeys? Will you be prepared to leave tomorrow?"

"The journey was only a partial success, though the failings were all mine. We were only capable for recovering half the map. The other half seems lost."

"Half is better than none. Sleep well tonight, heroes. Tomorrow we will be on the roads once more."

After another night of resting the heroes arise early and suit up, prepared to pass into Baltarok. Prince David and King Valentino stand outside their palace with the heroes as they wait for Daneeka to join them. Cool morning light shimmers on their faces.

"A far less destructive visit than your last," King Valentino remarks.

If the heroes have any parting words for the Northerners, now would be the time.

[Scubacarrot]

"First visit." Guts corrects the king. "But perhaps not the last. Thank you for your hospitality, my Lord."

[The Legonater]

Thank you for your care, King. Keep it safe around here.

[Scubacarrot]

In a pink puff of smoke, two golden statuettes suddenly popped into existence near Guts. One had "Badass" inscripted in it's base, the other read: "Optimized". Guts picks them up, and shrugs as he stows them away. He wondered what that was all about, but it was not nearly one of the strangest things that ever happened during the Strivvian's time with Heroica.

[Zepher]

King Valentino looks at Dyric as he instructs him to keep things safe.

"I will try my best." Rummaging around his cloak, he finds a little pouch and tosses it to Guts. It contains 60 gold. "Should you need to buy provisions."

"Heroes, if you do find the Fountain, please, return and let me know. I would be remiss if I did not one day hear an end to this tale. I feel like at this point I've read half of it, with the other half just out of my reach."

Doc Daneeka walks out of the palace, a pack on his back. He nods curtly to the nobility.

"Time to be off."

"My troops will accompany you to the bridge, but no further. Best of luck."

The walk to the bridge takes a short morning, and the heroes arrive a little before noon. Climbing the pylon they set out across the bridge, crossing into Orcish territory. Many memories arise for all three heroes...

OoC: Just getting the next part of the quest ready, it should be up later today!

[Scubacarrot]

Guts bows his head in thanks with a slight mocking smile playing on his lips as he catches the purse. He quickly passes it on to Dyric. To David's request, he answered: "If our journey allows it, of course."

At the bridge, Guts halts a moment. Absently, he taps his shoe on a faded stain on one of the tiles of the structure. Then the aging man continues walking, his shoulders ever so slightly lower than they were before.

[The Legonater]

I catch the purse and pocket it, nodding to Guts.

The sight of Kingdom troops at the foot of the bridge is haunting. I force myself to move forward, stepping past the memories of the battle that should never have happened.

[StickFig]

Matthias doesn't notice the reaction of the other heroes as they cross the bridge; he is struck by the beauty of the place, quite apart from his memories of anger, blood, and gore. The peaceful (if bitterly cold) air seems too good to be true. For the first time in a long time Matthias feels proud of what he and the other Heroes accomplished on his first quest. The High Kingdoms seemed peaceful, if wary; no horde of orcs met them on the bridge. Thinking of orcs, the gnome frowns, unsure of how he might be received by whichever tribe the party encountered first.

I'm a little unclear... the Anvil doesn't seem to be in Matthias' inventory, and I'm not seeing a cart. I assumed they left it in Carn during the trip with Prince David, but shouldn't it be with them again, in a cart or something? Or is Matth assumed to be carrying it?

[Scubacarrot]

Guts changes his pace for a moment to walk next to Dyric, and says to him:

"Hey Dyric, can I ask you a serious question, for when we're back in Eubric? We've quested together very often, and you're an often silent strength that I know I can rely on always. I won't begrudge you if you say no to my request, but I'd be very grateful if you'd say yes."

[The Legonater]

Be straight with me, boss. You're asking about your campaign, aren't you?

[CMP]

Assuming direct control.

The party moves across the bridge slowly as they appraise the history they've helped shape. Eventually they find themselves passing through the tower in the center, where the fate of both the Red Lizards and Baltarok was decided.

And finally they pass into the territory of the orcs, where they find a garrison of soldiers. A barracks and barricades have been set up almost immediately where the bridge stops, but it doesn't appear to be blocked off. On sighting the armed group, several of the orcish archers tense - but on recognizing at least a few of the faces they relax instead, a few of them raising their fists in actual greeting to the heroes. The bridge still appears to be damaged from the battle - on this side, at least - and a few orcs are carrying materials over while others hammer some makeshift repairs in place. An imposing, armored hobgoblin approaches the heroes.

"Hah hah, famil-iar face-es. Wel-come back to Bal-ta-rok, Hero-ca."

[The Legonater]

Gor? You've done surprisingly well for yourself.

Hey, it's Harbinger CallMePie! Wasn't expecting you here. Excited to see you take the reigns in Baltarok once more!

[Zepher]

Matthias doesn't notice the reaction of the other heroes as they cross the bridge; he is struck by the beauty of the place, quite apart from his memories of anger, blood, and gore. The peaceful (if bitterly cold) air seems too good to be true. For the first time in a long time Matthias feels proud of what he and the other Heroes accomplished on his first quest. The High Kingdoms seemed peaceful, if wary; no horde of orcs met them on the bridge. Thinking of orcs, the gnome frowns, unsure of how he might be received by whichever tribe the party encountered first.

I'm a little unclear... the Anvil doesn't seem to be in Matthias' inventory, and I'm not seeing a cart. I assumed they left it in Carn during the trip with Prince David, but shouldn't it be with them again, in a cart or something? Or is Matth assumed to be carrying it?

Assume he is carrying it. Sorry, that was an over-sight on my part. But don't worry, I won't force you to always remember to bold "I bring the anvil" or anything.

[Zepher]

"Is there anyone that you do not know?" Daneeka says to Guts with what could almost be construed as a faint grin.

[Scubacarrot]

Be straight with me, boss. You're asking about your campaign, aren't you?

"My campaign...?" Guts blinked. "No, I was just wondering if you would be my drinking buddy, you see, Hybros can barely keep a drink down, Nerwen disapproves of my habit, and Hoke still likes to pretend he disapproves of me... I shouldn't jest so much, of course I was talking about my campagin, yes." The marauder takes a deep breath. "You must have heard the call for a leader for Eubric has been sounded, as I suspected it would be. You've also then heard I have joined the Crescent Union, which... seem to be more progressive, than the Sungold Alliance, that prefer things would remain as they were before the Wolfgang arrived. I feel like Eubric would not flourish with a King. What we saw back there, with the Red Lizards, Eubric can and will never become that, things are too different now. What Eubric needs is a push. A government, but not an absolute ruler. I want to make Eubric a democracy."

"Hah hah, famil-iar face-es. Wel-come back to Bal-ta-rok, Hero-ca."

Guts raises his fist in a traditional Orcish greeting.

"Well met, good to see you again, General."

"Is there anyone that you do not know?" Daneeka says to Guts with what could almost be construed as a faint grin.

"No... At this point, we pretty much know everyone."

Guts introduces Matthias and Daneeka to Gor and vice versa.

[StickFig]

Assume he is carrying it. Sorry, that was an over-sight on my part. But don't worry, I won't force you to always remember to bold "I bring the anvil" or anything.

Guts introduces Matthias and Daneeka to Gor and vice versa.

Matthias peeks out from behind the giant anvil he's carrying, having picked it up again after admiring the view from the bridge, and imitates Guts in waving an exoskeletoned fist at the hobgoblins. "Peace to you, General Gor."

Edited October 1, 2015 by StickFig

[The Legonater]

You've seen my luck. I'd be insane not to drink.

You know me. You were there in Triad Park when I decided the Houses needed to be united. This... this can't be the only way. I can see it now, this will lead to a war that will tear Heroica in twain. Every time heroes are put in opposite sides of an issue we get closer to war, you saw that the last time we stood on this bridge.

I still think there's another option, but it's become clear that few others do. This isn't the Heroica the Miracleworker left behind, the Heroica of high fantasy and noble men and women. This is the Heroica of the now, and my idealism is something that isn't always shared. If I looked for a third option, who'd follow me?

I respect you, boss - you know that. You're no-nonsense and to the point. Some people may think you're cruel, but in reality you're the pragmatism we need in these times. No offence, but you're the closest thing to a politician Heroica has. Well, I guess there's that one guy who says he's a former king - but I digress. You're a leader who gets things done, and Eubric would without a doubt be better in your hands than the leader of a House. You're unbiased. You're goal isn't to defeat the enemy, it's to get the job done. And you can bet Eubric needs a job done.

I won't follow a battle between houses. I won't follow lines in the sand and feuds becoming political agendas. But you? You I'd follow.

[StickFig]

Trying not to be rude to the people he's meeting, something in the conversation that had been going on between Rone and Holla catches Matthias ear. There's a King in Heroica? Why hasn't he stood up and claimed his responsibilities? the gnome wonders, hoping he'll remember to ask Rone about it later.

[Scubacarrot]

"You know, you have a real way with words, when you set your mind to it, Dyric. It means a lot. Now, we've got a fountain to find. Daneeka, who is our contact in the area?"

[Zepher]

"No contact," says Daneeka calmly. "We need to make it to the Fountain. Gerald has equipped us with gold to hire a cart and an escort or guide. We must head to the Wastelands in Western Baltarok. Whatever way we get there will suffice."

[Scubacarrot]

"What happened to the cart we had?"

[Zepher]

"I left it in Carn. We can hire another here. I thought it best to not bring a Kingdoms' cart into Orcish lands, and what's more, Kingdom horses are hardly prepared for Baltarok's climate. We can hire a new escort here. As you know, for Gerald gold is of little concern. Besides, the bridge itself has only scaffolding, it would difficult for the cart and horses to traverse it."

[Scubacarrot]

"If you say so. Last time we had an Aepyornis cart, or whatever those bird-things are called. As for our plan back, David asked us to let hem know we found. Is our intention to travel back overland to a Kingdom port, or are we taking ship in Vhim-Lhzar? If Western Baltarok is our destination, we might even be able to save a chunk of time to Etheria by travelling south-west, provided there is a ship to be found in those regions." Guts pointed out. It would be an awkward travel to Etheria any way they'd slice it, as effectively the Lower Kingdoms and the continent of Mistaria blocked a direct searoute to the place, requiring more overland travel.