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

[Scubacarrot]

"Matthias. Are you alright? Tell us everything. Who the hell is Simon? Who is the Master of Regret?"

[The Legonater]

The Master of Regret is one of the Old Gods. We've met. I wouldn't want to do it again.

[StickFig]

Matthias nods at Rone's explanation. "Yes, he's not my favorite person either, but he was adamant that whatever the darkness - the shadows - were or was should not drink from the pool. He couldn't stop them, though. To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure how he survived." Addressing the Assassin's earlier question, he adds, "And I'm not sure who Simon is... there were two men with the Master of Regret in the ...vision I had. Simon and Jones. Somehow I knew their names. They were both taken by the darkness. And then I swam to the bottom of the pool of the Fountain, and fell a long, long way... here."

[The Legonater]

You said there were two of them? And they managed to beat Regret? ...this just got very bad indeed. We need to get moving, now.

[StickFig]

"No, no, no," Matthias says, "there were two men working with the Master of Regret - they were the same race, the same power, I think, although he seemed to be a leader among them. The Darkness overpowered them all, and drank from the fountain. What could be so bad that the Master of Regret - his whole people - fought and died to keep it from gaining the artifacts? In my first vision - when I picked up the Anvil - I saw the same beings, fighting the same darkness, and I felt the same fall. The Anvil and the Fountain are linked," he rounds on Daneeka, "What other artifacts is the other party fetching? Are they linked to the same power? Are we handing over the means to eternal dominance to your friends in Etheria?"

[The Legonater]

Same race, that's what I was afraid of. The Old Gods have returned, and something worse with them.

You two... deserve an explanation. Arthur tells it better, but I'll do my best. The Court of Demons? Zane? That all started with Regret. He turned Zane into whatever he is now - and Zane was the sanest of the four. The Old Gods... I don't even know, they were three powerful, eldritch beings. They fed on desire. Lady Wren nearly destroyed Eubric outright in her quest to become the Master of Chaos. If you've ever heard me talk of killing a goddess, that was her. During her conquest, she killed the second, Passion. Regret was all that was left, but I suppose it was only in time they'd reincarnate like this. And if something is even stronger than them... well, the whole world is in trouble. It already drank from the Fountain, we absolutely can't let it get a hold of the other relics. Once again, we need to hurry out of here.

Edited January 1, 2016 by The Legonater

[StickFig]

"Agreed, although I'm not certain where we might want to hurry to."

[Scubacarrot]

“Etheria. Guffington better have some fantastic reasons for having us do all this.“

[Zepher]

This is vital, Matthias. Was there anything else? Anything at all?

And you. I turn to Daneeka again. You knew about this, didn't you? Playing around with ancient artifacts - was this the plan all along?

"I knew some of it, yes. But not all that. The Old Gods have slowly revealed themselves in recent years... but whatever their nemesis is has not."

"A year and a half ago a group of heroes led by Hybros assisted me in recovering an ancient library under Eubric. There we found many references to the Old Gods, which I have been interested in for many years. What's more, during our descent, we encountered a witch who promised us the truth. We were all treated to strange visions of other worlds. But in truth, they may have just been the past, and the future. I went to a Eubric much different than ours. Who is to say."

"All that I can tell you is that there are many great mysteries. We have stumbled, we believe, upon one. And we wish to finish unearthing it. It is of upmost importance, I believe, because the closer we get to discovering the truth, the more dangerous it appears. There is an enemy lurking, and growing closer. We will either be prepared, or not."

"No, no, no," Matthias says, "there were two men working with the Master of Regret - they were the same race, the same power, I think, although he seemed to be a leader among them. The Darkness overpowered them all, and drank from the fountain. What could be so bad that the Master of Regret - his whole people - fought and died to keep it from gaining the artifacts? In my first vision - when I picked up the Anvil - I saw the same beings, fighting the same darkness, and I felt the same fall. The Anvil and the Fountain are linked," he rounds on Daneeka, "What other artifacts is the other party fetching? Are they linked to the same power? Are we handing over the means to eternal dominance to your friends in Etheria?"

"And is there power to be gained? Surely. But all advancement is danger. Look at yourself Matthias. You have grown immortal through ancient magics once more recovered, and through technology you are capable of lifting something that in old times only the giants could control. But you don't protest your, your discoveries. You know well as I do, well as any one in Eubric, that change is coming constantly, and our one great power is shaping it, and the only power thats allows us the capability of doing that is knowledge."

"The people of Etheria are perhaps the only populace on this entire planet that has never waged a war against their neighbors. They have the longest history, and the most peaceful. If you fear for the fate of these artifacts, as I do, then Etheria is undoubtably the safest place for them."

"You have seen the same thing I have, little gnome." Zane kneels down opposite him. "For years I have been plauged by images of such things, ever since my time with the Master of Regret, but this was more clear than ever before. About a year and a half ago I shared a vision with another prophetess. And the Master of Regret was there as well... I think it may have been about these coming days. Those witches were there too. And Parvati."

"You could tell..." she trails off. "The witches, and the Old God, they knew something had awoken then. And the other prophetess too... she knew that soon they'd all be gathered to one place."

"I'll tell you one thing. It was bad news when Wren killed off Passion. Regret liked ribbing his brother and all... but that wasn't a part of any plan."

"I monitored that night carefully. When Wren eventually killed Passion... it is difficult to say what happened. Her own etherial powers disappeared when she stepped into the void, and his were nulled upon his death, but The Master of Regret fled the city as well. I think he was afraid of what would happen after his brother's death."

"Right. That's why I think-" he stops himself. "Screw it. What do I care? I've already gotten my walking papers. All I ask, gnome, is that you don't let Baldy and his lackey kill the world with their arrogance. There is a darkness coming. And you have seen what it does. It does not kill. It consumes. We will all be in danger."

Same race, that's what I was afraid of. The Old Gods have returned, and something worse with them.

You two... deserve an explanation. Arthur tells it better, but I'll do my best. The Court of Demons? Zane? That all started with Regret. He turned Zane into whatever he is now - and Zane was the sanest of the four. The Old Gods... I don't even know, they were three powerful, eldritch beings. They fed on desire. Lady Wren nearly destroyed Eubric outright in her quest to become the Master of Chaos. If you've ever heard me talk of killing a goddess, that was her. During her conquest, she killed the second, Passion. Regret was all that was left, but I suppose it was only in time they'd reincarnate like this. And if something is even stronger than them... well, the whole world is in trouble. It already drank from the Fountain, we absolutely can't let it get a hold of the other relics. Once again, we need to hurry out of here.

"There was a third," says Zane, sneering. "Passion, Regret... and Hope. Keep an eye out for her." He stands up and salutes Guts. "See you in Eubric, Baldy. Can't wait to see that welcome party you promised me."

"Stay safe," Parvati says to Matthias timidly. "I will see you in Eubric... if I'm allowed. Thank you for standing by me."

"Nearest port is that way!" Zane points to the west. "Use your compass, because I'm sure you still don't trust me. It's been a blast and a half like always."

Are the heroes ready to go find a port?

[The Legonater]

"There was a third," says Zane, sneering. "Passion, Regret... and Hope. Keep an eye out for her."

But I thought- ...no, I suppose so.

Are the heroes ready to go find a port?

Yes.

[Scubacarrot]

"We're going."

[Zepher]

OoC: I'll give Matthias a few more hours to see if he wants to say anything final and then I'll move this along.

[StickFig]

Matthias shrugs, hoists the anvil, and follows Guts and Daneeka.

[Zepher]

The heroes make their way westward still, leaving behind Zane and his gang at the Fountain of Youth. It is a few more days of travel before they finally reach the sea, and then a quick night's travel (using the compasses) to the nearest port. The heroes grab a well deserved rest, and the next morning they're off on their way to Etheria on a boat that Daneeka procured over the evening.

The journey is slow, and the boat has a rather boring crew - they ship around Baltarok's south, which isn't a lively or busy area. They make for poor company. Daneeka too has become withdrawn from the party. The days pass slowly, with little to do, no rum onboard and no one willing to play cards or bet.

Finally, after a week or so, Daneeka interrupts the heroes as they are eating dinner.

"We will arrive in Etheria tomorrow," he says, sitting down at their table in the galley but notably not making eye contact with nearly any of them. "If you have any questions about the island, now is the time. I don't doubt with the amount of time we wasted in Baltarok that the others have already arrived."

[The Legonater]

What are its defenses?

[Zepher]

"Always the same." Daneeka's breathing apparatus rattles metallically as he sighs. "I hope on my next adventure I will be traveling with explorers instead of strictly warriors. The island's defenses are the best in the world. It has been the home to the largest population of wizards on Olegaia since the dawn of time, and each has contributed some sort of ward. It is also impossible to navigate without the assistance of certain denizens of the island. And attacking it, even if those things were not the case, would be near suicide. The strongest mages in the world congregate there, and they are all prepared to do battle if need be. Not that they ever had. Etheria is a neutral nation, and has never been involved directly in any offense or defense."

[The Legonater]

Well you'll forgive for worrying about security when we're facing something that bested the Old Gods. Can these mages fight a threat on that level?

[StickFig]

Matthias listens intently, still withdrawn and unsure of himself after the prolonged visions at the Fountain and still getting used to its effects. He gives Daneeka a wary eye as Rone peppers the doctor with questions and adds his own. "What's to say that the 'mages' of 'Etheria' aren't just the same darkness I saw, that overthrew the Old Gods? What's to say they haven't been just biding their time, probing quietly until they can bring together the artifacts they need to destroy this world and create their own? Why shouldn't we just dump that vial off the side of the boat? A few ageless fishes sounds a lot better than a few ageless world destroyers."

Realizing how incredible and paranoid he sounds, the gnome softens almost imperceptibly. "Doctor, you know this Guffington; I do not. But does even he know what lurks in Etheria?"

[Zepher]

Well you'll forgive for worrying about security when we're facing something that bested the Old Gods. Can these mages fight a threat on that level?

"What do you truly know of the Old Gods? You seem to fear them, but do you know what they are? Does their unknown quality alone cause your fear?" Daneeka crosses his arms.

"I understand your fear. I will openly admit to you, I am not sure what is coming for us. But we are attempting to prepare for whatever it is. Etheria is safe. I am not sure that it can stand up to whatever we will eventually face, but it will fare better than Duplovia would have."

Matthias listens intently, still withdrawn and unsure of himself after the prolonged visions at the Fountain and still getting used to its effects. He gives Daneeka a wary eye as Rone peppers the doctor with questions and adds his own. "What's to say that the 'mages' of 'Etheria' aren't just the same darkness I saw, that overthrew the Old Gods? What's to say they haven't been just biding their time, probing quietly until they can bring together the artifacts they need to destroy this world and create their own? Why shouldn't we just dump that vial off the side of the boat? A few ageless fishes sounds a lot better than a few ageless world destroyers."

Realizing how incredible and paranoid he sounds, the gnome softens almost imperceptibly. "Doctor, you know this Guffington; I do not. But does even he know what lurks in Etheria?"

"How do we know you are not the darkness?" Daneeka takes out the vial and places it on the table. "As I told Dyric, I do not purport to have all the answers. I am as much an adventurer as you heroes, but my adventures are into different mysteries. Where have we come from, and where are we going? Finding these answers are risky, but I have long believed that not knowing is the greater risk."

"Looking at the facts, Etheria has no need for us to collect the artifacts. How well guarded were the two that we found? I have no doubt that an island of the most powerful mages on the planet would have little trouble collecting them if they wanted to. As for Guffington's intention... we will arrive at Etheria tomorrow, so there is little reason to mask our exact plan at this point. You will need to know it by the time we arrive in Etheria." Daneeka rattles his breathing device. "I will try to be succinct. I cannot recall how much you have been told at this point, so let me lay this on the table as plainly as possible, starting from the beginning."

"A number of years ago, Lord Guffington and two of his business partners, Lord Hughes and Lord Chauncey, and myself as well, became acutely intrigued by the tales of "Old Gods" that we found reference to in a number of ancient texts. But we knew little of them. So we began research. As you know, two of them revealed themselves on the night that Wren attempted to ascent. I monitored their powers then, and Lord Chauncey later met and spoke with a number of witnesses. We still had very little to go off of, and one of the Old Gods had perished."

"Threats to our research also began to rear their heads. Lord Hughes was killed, and an attempt was made on Lord Guffington's life. We can surmise that there is someone else out there that knows about the Old Gods, and perhaps where they came from. And they do not want us to know."

"So, we have come to Etheria with only one goal. We plan to resurrect the Gray Wizard, the Old God known as Passion, and we will see what he knows. Because the three of us, Lord Chauncey, Gerald, and myself, we have all become aware that his death was a mistake. Dyric, you fear the Old Gods, but we have grown to fear whatever they ward off even more. And without them to stand as intermediary, and with someone else potentially knowing of their origins, you may understand why we feel it would be best to have a tete-a-tete with them."

[The Legonater]

I fear the Old Gods because they represent a power we could never hope to control. We're playing with a fierce fire, Daneeka. Maybe, maybe, they will help us. Or maybe they will turn against us. Or maybe the new presence of Passion will draw this Darkness straight to us. We simply don't know.

[Zepher]

"Many people feel the same about Heroica." Daneeka stands up abruptly. "If you do not like power you cannot control, you will have a poor time at Etheria. I will see you in the morning."

The next morning the heroes, the vial, and the anvil are all put on a little lifeboat that sinks dangerously close to the surface of the water. The captain of the ship explains he would never sail close enough to the island for the heroes to disembark directly, wishes them luck, and casts them off. They bob slowly towards the island, which grows larger and larger, a shimmering white city with a huge beam of light bursting forth from the center, disappearing into the sky!

Eventually they make it to a dock, and a welcoming committee.

"You're late. The rest of your party arrived a day ago," growls Bombast. "At least there's some magic users between you." He glances off in a different direction. "Oh, stuff it, Piglina."

[The Legonater]

We've been busy. Where's the rest?

[Scubacarrot]

Guts comments on the old god conversation. "So much for fulfilling Guffington's last wish by visiting Etheria and not wanting to be rude showing up empty handed. I don't know about all this Old-God business... You have no idea what you're doing, that much is clear. Just... you better don't blow up the world when we bring this stuff there."

On board, Guts spends the time looking across the ocean, drinking bad liquor he won gambling with some sailors.

"Always wanted to visit Etheria, but just never had a reason or an excuse." He nods to the servants send to greet them. "Guts Holla. Could you show us to Guffington and the others?"

[StickFig]

Matthias wanders after the others, simultaneously lost in his thoughts and taking in the sights.

[Zepher]

We've been busy. Where's the rest?

"Terrible manners. Hardly surprising from someone from Eubric."

"Always wanted to visit Etheria, but just never had a reason or an excuse." He nods to the servants send to greet them. "Guts Holla. Could you show us to Guffington and the others?"

The man offers Guts his hand.

"Hello Guts Holla. I am Bombast Bombast, Official Weather Mage of Etheria anda member of the Ruling Council here. I believe that your companions have already dispersed all over the island - I saw quite a few of them in the city center, but that was minutes ago, so who knows when or where they are now."

"Before you disappear into the island, I will need to tell you how to navigate. This man next to me is called Melqiaudes, and he is one of our Void Masters. Etheria is an island unstuck in both space and time, and because of this incredible phenomena it is impossible to travel from one room into another without a Void Master to teleport you there. Put more simply, Etheria's different chambers don't have windows or doors."

"Transportation is easy. Simply call out Melqiaudes' name, and then where you'd like to be. And of course if you have any questions, I would be happy to chat with you." Bombast walks over towards Matthias and peers down at the gnome and his anvil. "That's quite a nifty anvil you have there," he says with a leering smile. "Maybe I could get a chance to study it some time. What is your name? You are the only member of your party who I can sense any sort of ethereal prowess emanating from. It is good that you've come - anyone with the ability to utilize ether should stop by Etheria and be trained by the mages here."

Daneeka, meanwhile, approaches the Selkreeth.

"Doctor Daneeka," he says in way of introduction. "It is a pleasure. I am more than excited to finally arrive in Etheria. I have heard tales for many years. Could you perhaps conduct me to my employer, Lord Gerald Guffington, or any of his guests - U'Or, Elba, or Lord Chauncey? I will also have to insist on seeing your library at some point."

"Which one was Guffington again? Oldie, youngie, or U'Kin?"