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

[Zepher]

"Very good," says Talligard. "It is as we expected. Heroes rarely have trouble with such tasks."

"Yes, I know," she answers Guts. "When Gerald Guffington first came to us, no one called him the Great. He was a little boy, but with a great respect and joy for the world. We have seen many over the years, and we can read them easily, for the most part. Gerald was a good one. He did not fear our race, as some do - we are the great wardens of memories and dreams of those long go. But he was fascinated by us, by our persons, by our view. Very few mortals, with only one soul, can truly grow to appreciate the world and its constant fluid nature, it's lush history and endless future, and it's beautiful now. But Gerald did. So we gave him gold and let him explore."

"Tell him from us a fond farewell. And be on your way. You may stay the night if you wish, but we warn Talligard is no decorator. The rooms are nearly bare."

<Of course. I am no stranger to duty, Matthias. You must complete your contract. If you can arouse a retinue and return to Haddon upon completing your duty to Guffington, you would be most welcome, but if other duty calls shortly there after, it would be understood. Regardless, it has been a pleasure to get to know a Hero of Heroica as noble as yourself.>

[StickFig]

His chest swelling with pride at the frog's praise, Matthias wonders secretly if he'll ever deserve such words. Bowing one last time to the departing priest, he swivels back to Talligard and the others. "That is a very kind offer, Lady Talligard. Master Guts, Master Dyric, I think I could do with a chance to rest; do we have time?"

[Scubacarrot]

"We should. We rest, and we leave in the morning. We should find Daneeka."

[Zepher]

OoC: Daneeka is with you.

The two disappear into the Palace and Daneeka leads the heroes back towards Talligard's Manor. Once inside, they find her in the same place they left her, more or less.

The heroes spend the night in three separate bedrooms, each adorned with only a bed.

The next morning they are greeted outside the Manor by Doc Daneeka and a horse and carriage.

"Come heroes," says Daneeka. "We must depart. Matthias, if you would load the anvil, that would be ideal. We will be setting out today for the north and the west. The best and safest way to cross into Baltarok is the newly constructed Augustus Bridge. Someone take the reigns, I cannot drive."

[Scubacarrot]

"Ever driven a cart, Dyric?" Guts offers.

[The Legonater]

First time for everything. Can't be too bad, can it?

[StickFig]

Matthias, well rested and refreshed, obliges Daneeka and very carefully engages the DDSSA, lifting the anvil onto the cart, ensuring it is well situated and secured. Hopping up onto the cart himself, he pauses for a meditative moment with his hands resting on the cool metal of the anvil's side, then seats himself as comfortably as possible and looks expectantly at Rone and Holla. "Ready when you are!"

[Scubacarrot]

Guts nods to Matthias and Daneeka and jumps in. "Never done it, I imagine it's just a case of making the horse go straight... Go whenever. So help me understand something. Eyric, your brother, Dyric? The resemblance is quite clear, dark hair, penchant for hooded cloaks... But weren't you and your family personae non grata in Duplovia? What happened, exactly?"

Edited September 3, 2015 by Scubacarrot

[StickFig]

Having picked up bits and pieces of the mystery of Eyric and Dyric but completely baffled at this point, Matthias listens with interest to see what Dyric will say.

[The Legonater]

Guts nods to Matthias and Daneeka and jumps in. "Never done it, I imagine it's just a case of making the horse go straight... Go whenever. So help me understand something. Eyric, your brother, Dyric? The resemblance is quite clear, dark hair, penchant for hooded cloaks... But weren't you and your family personae non grata in Duplovia? What happened, exactly?"

We were. The current King, Somoril, came in with a very strict tough-on-crime policy. That included the immediate cessation of all rogue-like activities. A lot of known terror cells were split wide open by military response. The thing was, that included my family. We were a line of prefects, royal guards who would investigate and stop and threats to the throne. For generations, the prefect has been a Rone. However, for a long time we'd learned to use our targets skills against them. We learned the ways of the criminals we were chasing, and effectively became rogues ourselves. Somoril didn't like the idea of that. He wanted to make clear that criminal action of any kind, from any where, was not tolerated. So yes, they cracked down on us. Had me exiled. They kept Eyric around, though - they still needed a Prefect, and he technically hadn't been implicated yet. So he became Prefect, and has been doing pretty well for himself, if you ask me.

[Scubacarrot]

"Sounds like you got the short end of the stick. He's got the family title, you're driving a cart into Baltarok. What about the rest of your family?"

[Zepher]

"Those are difficult wounds to overcome," Daneeka remarks. "It is good to see one with such a short life span exhibit such..." Daneeka passes, fishing around for the word, "willingness to move past events that have already been done."

Daneeka's face twitches a little, either annoyance or a twinge of a smile - always nearly impossible to tell with his facial mask. "Guts makes a fair point as well, of course."

[The Legonater]

There is no 'rest of the family'. Not anymore.

I pause for a moment, and move to address both people. I'm past Duplovia. What happened to me, to my family- it was a tragedy. But it's happened, and I can't do anything to change that. In Heroica, I can change things. In Eubric, I can change things. But my role in Duplovia is done, and I've long-since accepted that. That's Eyric's job now. If riding a cart in Baltarok is going to help in the long run, then that's where you'll find me.

[Zepher]

"That is a noble stance, Dyric Rone. A noble stance may go a long way, in my experience."

The heroes ride towards Baltarok, passing by a few small towns that they do not stop in except to quickly refuel on food and booze (Daneeka handles the gold, of course). As they ride high into mountains the weather takes a dip for the worse, and soon they are caught in an unlikely early fall snowstorm. The horses cry out, and visibility is low.

The wheel of the wagon is stuck, the heroes attempting to dislodge it, when they hear some voices and the clanking of armor up ahead. Rounding the wagon they see a number of soldiers walking towards them, down a pass. They are all chattering, but upon spotting the heroes they draw their weapons and stand defensively.

"Oi! Who goes there?"

[Scubacarrot]

"Ho! Just traders out of Duplovia. Nice weather, eh?"

[Zepher]

"I think not," says a voice in the back of the formation. He elbows his way to the front and stares down Guts.

"Did you think I would forget you so soon? The man who insisted on my head, and the head of my son? Come to finish the job, have you?" He looks at the gnome and assassin. "And you two. I recall you as well. I thought you a champion of peace, gnome. How is it that you've fallen back in with this war monger?"

[The Legonater]

Now, now. No need for this to get violent. We were just passing through, didn't mean to intrude on your peace in any way shape or form. If you'd just let us pass, we'll continue out of your land and there'll be no cause for concern. We're not looking for a fight, just passage.

[Scubacarrot]

"Oh. You. I'm sorry if we don't stop to reminisce about the events on the bridge, or discuss the lovely weather, my lord Valentino. We really must be off, we are still behind schedule, and I would see that fixed."

Guts sighs internally and drinks a Mead, Nostrum and Smelling Salts.

[StickFig]

Matthias hides his exasperation with Holla - some people never learn - and bows over his top hat. "King Valentino, I am honored by your memory," the gnome begins in genuine surprise. "How is your son?"

[Zepher]

Now, now. No need for this to get violent. We were just passing through, didn't mean to intrude on your peace in any way shape or form. If you'd just let us pass, we'll continue out of your land and there'll be no cause for concern. We're not looking for a fight, just passage.

"I have no intention of violence, unless I have the need to defend myself. Passage is no trouble, if you cause no trouble. Where are you headed?"

"Oh. You. I'm sorry if we don't stop to reminisce about the events on the bridge, or discuss the lovely weather, my lord Valentino. We really must be off, we are still behind schedule, and I would see that fixed."

Guts sighs internally and drinks a Mead, Nostrum and Smelling Salts.

"Off to where? Through my lands? Perhaps it would behoove you to show a little respect."

Matthias hides his exasperation with Holla - some people never learn - and bows over his top hat. "King Valentino, I am honored by your memory," the gnome begins in genuine surprise. "How is your son?"

"My son is... better than he was."

Daneeka leans forward and speaks to the heroes in a whisper.

"I believe the Red Lizards will have to be negotiated with if we are to pass over the bridge. It is on their land."

[Scubacarrot]

Guts gritted his teeth, but relented his stance towards the man. He silently wondered what would be easier, this, or just killing the King and his soldiers and throwing them down the mountain. "We're headed towards Augustus Bridge. To cross over to Baltarok. There, we're meeting someone to help us a find an ancient relic. The usual adventuring stuff." Guts gives a -very brief- description of the journey from Duplovia they had taken so far.

"It's been an uneventful journey, truth be told, until this damned snow." Guts moves to the horses, producing a hand of rough grain from seemingly nowhere, and starts feeding the horses. "If you don't mind me saying, so, my lord, I find it strange to see a King out here on patrol, especially with this weather."

[Zepher]

The man keeps a wary eye on Guts, and it glints with fire.

"Ah. Come to use the bridge. Of course." He snorts. "As for me serving on patrol, the Northern High Kingdoms do not live the peaceful lives of our more eastern and southern brothers. A King here is expected to know how to fight, and as I'm sure you're aware that requires practice. Learning to deal with the elements, hunger, fatigue and still be in fighting form. Beyond that, what King can demand of his subjects that which he would not himself do."

"This blizzard is strange, and a poor reception for foreigners." The King sizes up the wagon and the motley crew, his eyes flickering between Matthias and Guts. "Carn is only a day's travel from here. Augustus Bridge can be seen from there. If you follow me, we can help you restock before you continue on to Baltarok, and offer you a night of warm sleep." Valentino turns, hardly waiting for a response, and begins to lead the way towards Carn.

[Scubacarrot]

"Great…" The marauder's mind flips through scenarios where the king's proposal ends in misfortune for the heroes. Daggers in the night, poison in the food, a bomb under the cart… Ultimately, Guts decided, there was no point in refusing, because if Valentino really wanted them dead, he'd have his soldiers attack the party before they could say 'no thanks'. Besides, if he was going to stay up all night keeping watch, he might as well do it somewhere warm. He added: "Really, great. Thank you. You know, when cities aren't being burned down, you make an alright impression, my lord. We'll be right behind you."

[The Legonater]

I never thought I'd say this, but more kingdoms could learn from that example.

It should be fine to stay a night. Daneeka, is this going to interrupt any schedule you have?

[StickFig]

The wheel of the wagon is stuck, the heroes attempting to dislodge it....

"If you follow me, we can help you restock before you continue on to Baltarok, and offer you a night of warm sleep." Valentino turns, hardly waiting for a response, and begins to lead the way towards Carn.

Very much liking the idea of a warm night's respite from the blowing snow, Matthias twists the DDSSA into "on" mode and heaves the wagon with all the strength the mechanical arms can muster.