Heroica RPG - Quest #147: Judgment Day

[Endgame]

"Slaying a dragon, as usual. With no mention of overtime, either.

I take it you're the guardian of this tunnel?"

"No dragons here, mate. Not in these tunnels, I can guarantee you that."

"We seek entrance and passage though the progg tunnels. Punii sent us here, as we have much to accomplish together if we are going to stop this Armageddon." Siercon said.

"Punii? That little yellow fellow who is an alchemist? Hrm... Why did he send you? He could not possibly be employing you, he's a kid."

[Kintobor]

"Punii? That little yellow fellow who is an alchemist? Hrm... Why did he send you? He could not possibly be employing you, he's a kid."

"I don't really understand the need for hostility. Nobody here's got their hands on their weapons, so I see no need to be aggressive. See, we're the group from Heroica that's trying to ensure the city stands her tomorrow morning, and we were informed that the Proggs were digging a tunnel to Billow. I believe the veterans had informed you guys about this beforehand?" Karie asks the Progg.

[Endgame]

"First I'm hearing about it. And we're getting hit bad by the storm - being underground doesn't protect us, so we have our own "unique" issues - so we're on edge. We don't really have a way of communicating with the above ground. I'm willing to bet your employer just reached out to Punii without informing us. We are a bit... secluded. This is supposed to be a "secret" entrance.

Heroica, huh? That's... Good. You bailed us out once before. You actually know how to stop the storm? What's causing it?"

[JimBee]

Heroica, huh? That's... Good. You bailed us out once before. You actually know how to stop the storm? What's causing it?"

"A big dragon in the sky, Kill the dragon, kill the storm. But we need to get to the dragon, and we need to use your tunnels to retrieve someone who can get us there."

Jinnipher examined the strange creature, but held back any inquiries. "The sooner the better."

[Asphalt]

"All you're gonna find in there is bottles of booze and my cigar butts."

And sure enough, the Sniper was right.

Lind strikes the ground near the cobble stones with the shovel, causing just a bit of a racket.

The ground begins to shake, and the cobblestones are lifted up like a cover to some sort of hatch. Two blue claws, followed by a huge stinger, followed by what looked like the grate to some sort of ventilation shaft slithered out, all connected by a strong, crustacean-esque body. It was roughly the size of a horse, from the tip of its claws to the end of its tail.

"Would you all quit it with that damn racket - uh, oh. I see there's, uh, quite a number of you...

...What are you here for?" Says the beast, sounding slightly irked.

My apologies for our companion, he often acts rather than thinking.

He attempts to Speak Diplomatically to the creature.

We seek a way out of this city. The creature that causes this storm has control over both the sky and the sea. We believe traveling through your extensive underground will give us the advantage we need to meet and best him.

[Flipz]

My apologies for our companion, he often acts rather than thinking.

He attempts to Speak Diplomatically to the creature.

We seek a way out of this city. The creature that causes this storm has control over both the sky and the sea. We believe traveling through your extensive underground will give us the advantage we need to meet and best him.

"<Specifically, there is an ally we must reach before we can take our battle to our enemy. Your underground domain is our best chance to reach them.>"

[Endgame]

"Listen, I'll get the guard captain. But if it is Billow you're going to, you might be out of luck..."

The ground rumbles, and the Progg sinks back in only to be replaced by a bulkier, olive green one. Despite his complete lack of of a face, his sluggish movements and worn voice pointed towards him being exhausted.

"Heroicans? Name is Fydelle. Get down here. Less rain."

The ground collapses inwards in a controlled fashion, creating a slope downwards. The party descends...

They follow Fydelle theough the tunnel, as the crustacean wades through the water - easily about a foot to two feet, maybe three feet deep, in places. They splash through the water and follow the Progg through the steamy tunnel.

"As my employee told you, I am the guard captain of the Progg colony. And no, most of us are not aquatic in the slightest. These tunnels... They aren't meant to be flooded. Damn dragon judged us too, and he's making you pay just as much as the folks up above.

I'll be taking you to speak with the current leader, Solon."

"I did not expect to go swimming with giant lobsters today..."

Edited April 21, 2016 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

Karie groans as she hits the water.

"Ugh... I hate getting wet... makes my make up run... makes my shoes all uncomfortable..." Karie pulls out her pocket mirror and begins to liberally reapply her face paint.

[Flipz]

"I did not expect to go swimming with giant lobsters today..."

"Eh, they seem better than the last Progg I met. The youngsters were all right, but that one..." Arthur shakes his head, chasing away the shameful memories.

"As my employee told you, I am the guard captain of the Progg colony. And no, most of us are not aquatic in the slightest. These tunnels... They aren't meant to be flooded. Damn dragon judged us too, and he's making you pay just as much as the folks up above.

I'll be taking you to speak with the current leader, Solon."

"<I'm sorry,>" Miirym offers, a tinge of bitterness in her "voice". "<It seems you've gotten a poor impression of my race. I just wish there was some way I could mend the damage.>"

[Endgame]

"I could try carrying you, but uh..." Masson looks at the stump on his right side. "Can't exactly do it bridal style, would have to do it over the shoulder, and that'd be.... Yeah."

"You think this is bad? This is the least flooded place. Some people have their homes submerged right now, all because the damn tunnel to Billow broke..."

"Eh, they seem better than the last Progg I met. The youngsters were all right, but that one..." Arthur shakes his head, chasing away the shameful memories.

"<I'm sorry,>" Miirym offers, a tinge of bitterness in her "voice". "<It seems you've gotten a poor impression of my race. I just wish there was some way I could mend the damage.>"

"I imagine these fellows could do some damage if they put their minds to it... Being the size of a horse gives you that strength."

"Dragons are fine, little one. There is a progg who... Well. Many proggs, actually, at least four, who did some awful things. At least Immortalis was cordial when we met him -one of the kindest souls we've met. It doesn't make sense that his methods are... well, this."

[JimBee]

Jinnipher waded through the water, holding her bag above her head to keep it dry. After a while, she felt a liquid soaking through. She checked to see if water had already gotten in, but she quickly determined what the source was. She pulled out the empty bottle that had once carried the black and blue hair dye.

She dropped it into the water with a horrified look on her face. "Gabriel... Does my hair look okay?"

[Kintobor]

"I could try carrying you, but uh..." Masson looks at the stump on his right side. "Can't exactly do it bridal style, would have to do it over the shoulder, and that'd be.... Yeah."

"You think this is bad? This is the least flooded place. Some people have their homes submerged right now, all because the damn tunnel to Billow broke..."

"No, it's fine Masson. The sentiment's appreciated though." Karie grimaced. "I paid good money for these blasted shoes..."

"Broke? What'd you mean "the tunnel to Billow broke"?" Karie questions, sounding frustrated.

"Dragons are fine, little one. There is a progg who... Well. Many proggs, actually, at least four, who did some awful things. At least Immortalis was cordial when we met him -one of the kindest souls we've met. It doesn't make sense that his methods are... well, this."

"So was... that prick." Karie exposits, hoping to not offend the progg in front of her. She'd murder the Regret a second time in a heartbeat, and she'd do it to Immortalis. "These high and mighty guys are all about make examples of people and things. They look at the world as their sandbox and everyone as the other kids playing in it. Every now and then, this kid gets angry, and he vents it out on the other kids by wrecking their stuff in an effort to show it's his sandbox. All that's left though is a bunch of angry kids who really don't like the guy claiming to own the sandbox.

That make sense?"

[Endgame]

Jinnipher waded through the water, holding her bag above her head to keep it dry. After a while, she felt a liquid soaking through. She checked to see if water had already gotten in, but she quickly determined what the source was. She pulled out the empty bottle that had once carried the black and blue hair dye.

She dropped it into the water with a horrified look on her face. "Gabriel... Does my hair look okay?"

Gabriel keeps walking.

"I know looks are important, especially for someone as good looking as you, but-"

The sniper turns around. His eyebrows raise as he takes in the sight before smiling and whistling appreciatively. It seems the dye had the intended effect on males, at the very least.

"Does it look okay? It looks better than okay. Didn't think you were that daring with your looks."

"No, it's fine Masson. The sentiment's appreciated though." Karie grimaced. "I paid good money for these blasted shoes..."

"Broke? What'd you mean "the tunnel to Billow broke"?" Karie questions, sounding frustrated.

"So was... that prick." Karie exposits, hoping to not offend the progg in front of her. She'd murder the Regret a second time in a heartbeat, and she'd do it to Immortalis. "These high and mighty guys are all about make examples of people and things. They look at the world as their sandbox and everyone as the other kids playing in it. Every now and then, this kid gets angry, and he vents it out on the other kids by wrecking their stuff in an effort to show it's his sandbox. All that's left though is a bunch of angry kids who really don't like the guy claiming to own the sandbox.

That make sense?"

"I mean a huge hole got ripped in the tunnel to Billow and it got flooded almost entirely. Oh, and here's the big kicker. Our Colony uses something called the Echo System - stone tubes that can carry sound all over the Colony, just by speaking into them. Great communication system. Big, wide things, a Progg could fit through them. And they all connect to the same place. The tunnel broke and flooded, and the water went up through the Echoes tube right back up to where all the tubes meet. That chamber got flooded, and suddenly water is getting pumped out of every damn Echoes tube in the Colony. For here, a basic mining shaft with one Echoes Tube, it's only a foot of water. For residential areas, though, where there's one on every corner... You can imagine the flooding. It's... It's bad.

Hmm... I would maybe say we're the grains in the sand in the sand box more than anything. Shaped and destroyed because some god, or false god, or dragon said so."

Edited April 21, 2016 by Endgame

[Flipz]

Hmm... I would maybe say we're the grains in the sand in the sand box more than anything. Shaped and destroyed because some god, or false god, or dragon said so."

Miirym snorts derisively, a cloud of black mist billowing around her as a result. "<Ridiculous. The will of a powerful foe is not incontrovertible. All things, from the rocks to mortals to heat to the invisible air, exert will unto the world. Even the tiniest grains of sand exert their own will. And the will of a great many grains of sand may doom even the most vicious opponent to a swift, crushing grave.>"

[Lind Whisperer]

She dropped it into the water with a horrified look on her face. "Gabriel... Does my hair look okay?"

"...Well...if you like purple hair."

"So was... that prick." Karie exposits, hoping to not offend the progg in front of her. She'd murder the Regret a second time in a heartbeat, and she'd do it to Immortalis. "These high and mighty guys are all about make examples of people and things. They look at the world as their sandbox and everyone as the other kids playing in it. Every now and then, this kid gets angry, and he vents it out on the other kids by wrecking their stuff in an effort to show it's his sandbox. All that's left though is a bunch of angry kids who really don't like the guy claiming to own the sandbox.

That make sense?"

The Black Knight shook his head and sighed. "...Did you even hear what we've been talking about? Any of it?

He's not trying to say it's "his sandbox". He has Foresight. He's trying to avoid a worst case scenario - and apparently, Eubric's survival is a worst case scenario."

"I mean a huge hole got ripped in the tunnel to Billow and it got flooded almost entirely. Oh, and here's the big kicker. Our Colony uses something called the Echo System - stone tubes that can carry sound all over the Colony, just by speaking into them. Great communication system. Big, wide things, a Progg could fit through them. And they all connect to the same place. The tunnel broke and flooded, and the water went up through the Echoes tube right back up to where all the tubes meet. That chamber got flooded, and suddenly water is getting pumped out of every damn Echoes tube in the Colony. For here, a basic mining shaft with one Echoes Tube, it's only a foot of water. For residential areas, though, where there's one on every corner... You can imagine the flooding. It's... It's bad.

"On the humane side of things, that is awful...on the strategic side of things, it's brilliant."

[Kintobor]

The Black Knight shook his head and sighed. "...Did you even hear what we've been talking about? Any of it?

He's not trying to say it's "his sandbox". He has Foresight. He's trying to avoid a worst case scenario - and apparently, Eubric's survival is a worst case scenario."

"Yeah, and honestly Immortalis forgot the kids in the sandbox are us... well, maybe not you. You seem a little complacent with his actions and all." Karie ponders.

"Vind, how do you feel about borrowing some of my stuff? In particular my Spring Staff (WP: 12, healing someone else through this staff also heals the user by the same amount, water elemental staff) or perhaps my favourite sword in the, Sexy? (WP: 11, disregards SP, longsword)" Karie passes her rapier to the half-giant to inspect, although in his hands it'd probably look like a toothpick.

[JimBee]

Gabriel keeps walking.

"I know looks are important, especially for someone as good looking as you, but-"

The sniper turns around. His eyebrows raise as he takes in the sight before smiling and whistling appreciatively. It seems the dye had the intended effect on males, at the very least.

"Does it look okay? It looks better than okay. Didn't think you were that daring with your looks."

Jinnipher rolled her eyes and groaned. "Oh no..." She tried desperately to wash the dye out by splashing the floodwater onto her head, but it was no use. She arose, even grumpier-looking than before. She quickly took off her Moone Mail and Cloak of Necrotic Shielding and put on her Helmet of the Tactician to cover up the new hair-do.

"...Well...if you like purple hair."

"Don't pretend that you didn't want the dye in the first place," she mumbled.

[Asphalt]

"Yeah, and honestly Immortalis forgot the kids in the sandbox are us... well, maybe not you. You seem a little complacent with his actions and all." Karie ponders.

"Vind, how do you feel about borrowing some of my stuff? In particular my Spring Staff (WP: 12, healing someone else through this staff also heals the user by the same amount, water elemental staff) or perhaps my favourite sword in the, Sexy? (WP: 11, disregards SP, longsword)" Karie passes her rapier to the half-giant to inspect, although in his hands it'd probably look like a toothpick.

The giant trudges along methodically. Once again forced into the underground. At least this tunnel was designed to accommodate larger creatures. He accepts the items from Karie. The tiny rapier indeed seems more an icepick, but he handles it gently, testing its weight and balance.

A lovely blade Mistress, lovely indeed. I would be pleased to wield either as the need arose.

He overhears their guide talking about collapsed tunnels.

Master Progg, so do you mean to say that there is no way through these tunnels out of the city?

[Asphalt]

OOC: I am going to be out of state until the elate PM Sunday. Kint should have a pretty good handle on how Vindsval would react should he need to post an action. I will be able to check the game but not post. No computer.

[Endgame]

QM Note: Thanks for the heads up Asphalt. Siercon, Swils, you there? If you guys are still struggling with illness/coursework, no problem.

"On the humane side of things, that is awful...on the strategic side of things, it's brilliant."

If Fydelle's stares were daggers, Lind would be dead.

Jinnipher rolled her eyes and groaned. "Oh no..." She tried desperately to wash the dye out by splashing the floodwater onto her head, but it was no use. She arose, even grumpier-looking than before. She quickly took off her Moone Mail and Cloak of Necrotic Shielding and put on her Helmet of the Tactician to cover up the new hair-do.

"I wasn't kidding about it looking good, but suit yourself."

Miirym snorts derisively, a cloud of black mist billowing around her as a result. "<Ridiculous. The will of a powerful foe is not incontrovertible. All things, from the rocks to mortals to heat to the invisible air, exert will unto the world. Even the tiniest grains of sand exert their own will. And the will of a great many grains of sand may doom even the most vicious opponent to a swift, crushing grave.>"

"Listen, little dragon. We have enough trouble from one of you. I am not letting another come down and lecture us while... Well, look for yourself."

The party exits the tunnel into the main cavern, walking along a long strut of rock over the Colony...

What they thought was a canal was actually a street- a neighborhood. Those were doors into people's homes. And they were submerged fully by water.

Above the newly formed pool, the party could see two parents telling their young Proggs about what had happened... That they didn't have a home any more. That floodwater had washed away everything. The children simply watched their parents, confused and lost...

"This is what has become of our colony. And there isn't much we can do about it... But if another tunnel breaks, the nightmare starts all over.

...Come on. Solon's office isn't far from here."

Sure enough, the party soon enters an impressive stone edifice - the Stronghold of the Progg colony - and hear a heated discussion inside.

"I can't keep doing this. We can't keep doing this."

"You have no choice, Solon."

"I am a regent. This was meant to be temporary. It was supposed to end when the young prince came into power. We were supposed to have an election!"

"But now he's dead, and you're all we have left."

"Me? Someone who is just a military man? I was never fit for this. I was on the battle field, for Ennoc's sake, you're the politician. And now we have to rebuild again!"

"Are you saying you will be abandoning the cause?"

"Hell no. But expect my resignation when this is over."

A huge, frustrated looking albino Progg steps out.

"...I'm Solon." he says, frustration and exhaustion in his voice. "Regent of the Proggs. And you all are?"

"Heroes, Solon. Heroica."

"...If there is any way we you can help, or we can help you, I will do what I can. Immortalis has offered us a way out of this, but I don't think I should accept."

[Kintobor]

Karie considers extending a hand in greeting the two Proggs, but decides against it and simply curtsies.

"Gents, the name's Karie. I've slain dragons, demons, and other nasty stuff, and I can vouch for most of my group.

Mind telling me about this offer Immortalis has given you?"

[Endgame]

Solon and Fydelle look confused as Karie bobs a curtsy.

"Human culture... Is not our thing.

Anyway. Immortalis has contacted me, after I got judged and after this whole storm started. His terms were this: If myself, and every other faction who got judged, agree to allow Immortalis to control things in Eubric for no more than half a year, the storm will cease. He's essentially trying to bully us into bending knee, as far as I can tell. Which frightens me... Because that means the worst of this damn storm is yet to come. And you've seen what has happened to this poor colony already."

Edited April 22, 2016 by Endgame

[swils]

"So then, maybe he's contacted the House leaders as well. Wouldn't be surprised if half of them cave to his request. My vote's on standing up to him, if it's worth anything t'ya."

Others seemed quite engaged in stuff that doesn't much relate to Thormy, and it definitely fit my schedule to let them nudge things along without interfering, heh.

[Flipz]

Solon and Fydelle look confused as Karie bobs a curtsy.

"Human culture... Is not our thing.

Anyway. Immortalis has contacted me, after I got judged and after this whole storm started. His terms were this: If myself, and every other faction who got judged, agree to allow Immortalis to control things in Eubric for no more than half a year, the storm will cease. He's essentially trying to bully us into bending knee, as far as I can tell. Which frightens me... Because that means the worst of this damn storm is yet to come. And you've seen what has happened to this poor colony already."

Miirym sniffs. "<So. Another arrogant tyrant, in the vein of Bellerai.>" She sighs sadly. "<There are Dragons I would entrust such power to. That, and more, in truth. But then again, she is a sort most like to refuse it, even were it offered freely. Perhaps that speaks to the nature of power, and of those worthy of it.>"

Careful to keep himself out of the water, Arthur edges his way over to the younger Cour brother. "Masson," Arthur asks quietly, "were you and the Syndicate given such an offer, or were you merely snuffed out?"

Edited April 22, 2016 by Flipz

[Endgame]

"So then, maybe he's contacted the House leaders as well. Wouldn't be surprised if half of them cave to his request. My vote's on standing up to him, if it's worth anything t'ya."

"That was the input I was looking for. So you truly think you can defeat this Father of Dragons, then?

And honestly... Even if half the houses bend knee to that serpent, whose to say the other half is too stubborn to give up what they've built? Everyone needs to agree to it, and who knows who else was given the "request" besides myself and the houses."

Miirym sniffs. "<So. Another arrogant tyrant, in the vein of Bellerai.>" She sighs sadly. "<There are Dragons I would entrust such power to. That, and more, in truth. But then again, she is a sort most like to refuse it, even were it offered freely. Perhaps that speaks to the nature of power, and of those worthy of it.>"

Careful to keep himself out of the water, Arthur edges his way over to the younger Cour brother. "Masson," Arthur asks quietly, "were you and the Syndicate given such an offer, or were you merely snuffed out?"

"No. The Syndicate were never a major group in Eubric. We're roughly two dozen men and women with little power over the city's affairs - we just cleaned up crime. I still don't know if burning down the HQ was him diverting you, sending a message, judging me for past crimes, or what.

...I'm not sure if we are going to be able to rebuild it."