Heroica RPG - Quest #147: Judgment Day

[Kintobor]

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."

"Yeah, that's not happening." Karie drinks from her bottle of wine. "I wouldn't be surprised if Ulfric was given a similar offer. He's got enough influence to be considered a faction in this city.

We won't be stopping the flooding unless we can get to Billow and back, sir. You said a hole broke in the tunnel. Is there any way to stop the flooding?"

[JimBee]

"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."

Jinnipher nodded. "You can't threaten doomsday and then ask for cooperation. So this is what it was about all along, power." She crossed her arms and shook her head. "Even more proof that the lizard is just as simple and pathetic as he pretends to be."

She turned to the progg. "Everyone in this city needs to unite against this threat. We can take him down as long as everyone is on the same page. As soon as someone submits to him... we divide ourselves."

[Endgame]

"Yeah, that's not happening." Karie drinks from her bottle of wine. "I wouldn't be surprised if Ulfric was given a similar offer. He's got enough influence to be considered a faction in this city.

We won't be stopping the flooding unless we can get to Billow and back, sir. You said a hole broke in the tunnel. Is there any way to stop the flooding?"

"Do... Do humans have resistance to alcohol like we do? Or are you really trying to get drunk at a time like this?"

"Some of us."

"Well, regardless, we actually managed to "plug the hole"... by partially collapsing the tunnel. They'd still be plenty of room for you to walk if it wasn't absolutely full of water. To be honest, I've been so busy running around, trying to get things at home straight, I haven't seen what the tunnel is like - if you even have options to go through it. I will head down with you, shortly, and we can check it out yourselves.

...You know, it is a shame. Damn shame. We had almost just finished the construction efforts you Heroicans salvaged the first time you were done here, but... Well, square one, if not worse, if this dragon isn't stopped."

Jinnipher nodded. "You can't threaten doomsday and then ask for cooperation. So this is what it was about all along, power." She crossed her arms and shook her head. "Even more proof that the lizard is just as simple and pathetic as he pretends to be."

She turned to the progg. "Everyone in this city needs to unite against this threat. We can take him down as long as everyone is on the same page. As soon as someone submits to him... we divide ourselves."

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.>"

"What tyrant demands control over a city for only half a year? If he wanted power, I'm not sure if he would bother with the judgment process, or the plea agreement. Is he a bastard? Yes. But from what I've seen of him... Power is not his goal. Or perhaps it is. Maybe he's been decieving us the entire time - it's also possible."

"Care to show them what we found in our archives, Fydelle?"

"Right. We believe there to be at least one other copy of this. Up until now, we did not know who it may be referring to. Well, now we have an idea."

Fydelle unrolls a scroll.

"At the dawn of time, the young dragon was approached by Great Ones, and the dragonling wished to have the strength needed to make things right. The Great Ones capitulated, and the dragonling was granted an immense power. The dragon grew, and he eventually descended upon Mercution, offering a people a great service that would last many a millennia."

"Unless you know any other dragons that emerged from the Dawn of Time?"

Edited April 22, 2016 by Endgame

[JimBee]

"What tyrant demands control over a city for only half a year? If he wanted power, I'm not sure if he would bother with the judgment process, or the plea agreement. Is he a bastard? Yes. But from what I've seen of him... Power is not his goal. Or perhaps it is. Maybe he's been decieving us the entire time - it's also possible."

"What tyrant demands power then willingly gives it up? In his eyes we would only go right back to screwing everything up. No, his goal is either total power or total destruction. Or both."

[Endgame]

"What tyrant demands power then willingly gives it up? In his eyes we would only go right back to screwing everything up. No, his goal is either total power or total destruction. Or both."

"Time will tell. Best case scenario, you beat an answer out of him."

[Flipz]

"Well, regardless, we actually managed to "plug the hole"... by partially collapsing the tunnel. They'd still be plenty of room for you to walk if it wasn't absolutely full of water. To be honest, I've been so busy running around, trying to get things at home straight, I haven't seen what the tunnel is like - if you even have options to go through it. I will head down with you, shortly, and we can check it out yourselves.

"Wait...full of water? That, er...might be a problem for me."

"<You cannot swim?>"

"No...well, not anymore. I can't be immersed in water. Anything past ankle-high is a serious problem--just getting down here was incredibly risky, for me anyway."

"<But-->"

"Go with them. If the tunnel gets drained, I'll join you, otherwise I'll wait back here with the Proggs, see if there's anything I can do while staying dry."

[Endgame]

"I mean, I can't swim either." says Masson glancing at where his arm should be for the umpteenth time. "Only in circles, really."

"The submerged part of that tunnel is easily more than half a mile long - it never got fully flooded, thank Ennoc, only a section of it. Nevertheless, you swimming by yourselves? Not an option."

Edited April 22, 2016 by Endgame

[Endgame]

"We don't have much more time to spare. Let's get going towards the tunnel to Billow, and see what we can do."

Fydelle and Solon shuffle off, and the party follows suit. They exit the building they were in and head down a series of stone walkways, leading them over the submerged colony. An air of tension hangs in the caverns, the Colon'ys cramped walls only causing the feeling of oppression to build more and more. The huge group steps through an arch, and find themselves in a vast cavern, looking down at a huge, but uninhabited edifice.

"The help you Heroicans gave us two years ago allowed us to build this. It's finally almost complete - it'll finally fix our overcrowding issue, especially now that the Residential Quarter is half submerged.

Nice, isn't it?"

"Looks like you are getting to do some sightseeing on the way to the Billows tunnel." notes Solon. "This is Residential District Two, though. Took us a long, long time, but it's almost done."

Edited April 23, 2016 by Endgame

[Lind Whisperer]

"No...well, not anymore. I can't be immersed in water. Anything past ankle-high is a serious problem--just getting down here was incredibly risky, for me anyway."

The Black Knight looked at the Dragoon with a concerned look on his face. "...Are you part Sand-Elemental now, Sir Arthur?"

"I mean, I can't swim either." says Masson glancing at where his arm should be for the umpteenth time. "Only in circles, really."

"If you need a hand...

Bad wording...

If you need assistance, I can lend you an arm."

[JimBee]

"No...well, not anymore. I can't be immersed in water. Anything past ankle-high is a serious problem--just getting down here was incredibly risky, for me anyway."

"Great, you're afraid of water? I don't suppose you're prepared to fight off an ancient dragon, then."

[Kintobor]

"We don't have much more time to spare. Let's get going towards the tunnel to Billow, and see what we can do."

Fydelle and Solon shuffle off, and the party follows suit. They exit the building they were in and head down a series of stone walkways, leading them over the submerged colony. An air of tension hangs in the caverns, the Colon'ys cramped walls only causing the feeling of oppression to build more and more. The huge group steps through an arch, and find themselves in a vast cavern, looking down at a huge, but uninhabited edifice.

"The help you Heroicans gave us two years ago allowed us to build this. It's finally almost complete - it'll finally fix our overcrowding issue, especially now that the Residential Quarter is half submerged.

Nice, isn't it?"

"Looks like you are getting to do some sightseeing on the way to the Billows tunnel." notes Solon. "This is Residential District Two, though. Took us a long, long time, but it's almost done."

"Eh, not my style, but I don't know anything about Progg culture, so there's that." Karie shrugged. "You guys sharing space with anyone else down here?"

Edited April 23, 2016 by Kintobor

[Siercon and Coral]

Ooc. Sorry looks like my computer may be completely dead now. This may restrict me to my phone, which makes it a little harder to format replies. I'll make it work though. Sry! :)

The Black Knight looked at the Dragoon with a concerned look on his face. "...Are you part Sand-Elemental now, Sir Arthur?"

Siercon found himself puzzled at this but pretty much agreed with Linds sentiments.

"Eh, not my style, but I don't know anything about Progg culture, so there's that." Karie shrugged. "You guys sharing space with anyone else down here?"

"Seriously, though if this storm keeps up, I fear overpopulation will not be a problem..." Sierco said.

"Time will tell. Best case scenario, you beat an answer out of him."

"I'm starting to like this option more and more. I don't appreciate being preemptivly judged for unpremeditated action or for just passive ripples in some future pond he wants to keep turbulence free." Siercon had obviously rehearsed this in his head... Most people wouldn't have said such an awkward sentence without pause.

Edited April 24, 2016 by Siercon and Coral

[Endgame]

"Eh, not my style, but I don't know anything about Progg culture, so there's that." Karie shrugged. "You guys sharing space with anyone else down here?"

"No, and we are spreading out deliberately to avoid that. Thus the Billows tunnel."

"I'm starting to like this option more and more. I don't appreciate being preemptivly judged for unpremeditated action or for just passive ripples in some future pond he wants to keep turbulence free." Siercon had obviously rehearsed this in his head... Most people wouldn't have said such an awkward sentence without pause.

"...You reading off a cue card, kid?"

The party reaches the tunnel to Billow, and finds two Proggs arguing in front of it.

"I can't believe you want to set us back."

"And you prefer to be dust?"

The red progg notices Solon and Fydelle.

"Solon, Fydelle, and... humans. We heard you were coming, an aide sent a message through the Echoes. Either way, settle this."

"I'm afraid the Construction Master has lost his damn mind."

"I have the drains set up already. My men can set the final charges, detonate them, destroy the last of the blockage we have set up, and we can have this tunnel drained swiftly."

"Care to tell them where you would be draining it to?"

"...The nearest choice is the closest large cavern. The unfinished residential district. But if time is a factor here, Solon, it's the only way."

"Oh, really? And when my men - the Aqua Proggs - can just swim them through?"

"How long will it take to scout it out, to make sure the route is even possible? And do you know if you can ensure they get through safely?"

"I don't know, and no, respectively."

Edited April 24, 2016 by Endgame

[Lind Whisperer]

"I have the drains set up already. My men can set the final charges, detonate them, destroy the last of the blockage we have set up, and we can have this tunnel drained swiftly."

"Care to tell them where you would be draining it to?"

"...The nearest choice is the closest large cavern. The unfinished residential district. But if time is a factor here, Solon, it's the only way."

"Oh, really? And when my men - the Aqua Proggs - can just swim them through?"

"How long will it take to scout it out, to make sure the route is even possible? And do you know if you can ensure they get through safely?"

"I don't know, and no, respectively."

The Black Knight shook his head and stretched. "Well, flooding the Residential District obviously won't do anyone any favors. So, I suppose we'll have to swim for it."

He looked toward the Dragoon and the Battle Mage.

"Sir Arthur, if you were to loan Siercon your Sapphire, he could cast a sphere of air around you, which should solve that little problem of yours..."

[Endgame]

The Black Knight shook his head and stretched. "Well, flooding the Residential District obviously won't do anyone any favors. So, I suppose we'll have to swim for it."

He looked toward the Dragoon and the Battle Mage.

"Sir Arthur, if you were to loan Siercon your Sapphire, he could cast a sphere of air around you, which should solve that little problem of yours..."

"Don't be hasty. The residential district is unfinished, as of now - the last thing we needed to add was the Echoes tubes, which saved the place, ironically. We won't hurt anyone if we flood it. Flooding it will set us back, but it is part then waiting here for waterboy."

"We have an overpopulation issue! People need that building to be usable."

"And we'll be underpopulated if the dragon has his way."

Edited April 24, 2016 by Endgame

[Lind Whisperer]

"And we'll be underpopulated if the dragon has his way."

"If 'he has his way,' you'll be dealing with no population."

[Siercon and Coral]

The Black Knight shook his head and stretched. "Well, flooding the Residential District obviously won't do anyone any favors. So, I suppose we'll have to swim for it."

He looked toward the Dragoon and the Battle Mage.

"Sir Arthur, if you were to loan Siercon your Sapphire, he could cast a sphere of air around you, which should solve that little problem of yours..."

"I believe he already did" Siercon said smacking he forehead." He then quickly cast a large air bubble next to Arthur, giving him the option of if he wanted to step in. And then waited for the expected jinnipher demeaning comment.

"Don't be hasty. The residential district is unfinished, as of now - the last thing we needed to add was the Echoes tubes, which saved the place, ironically. We won't hurt anyone if we flood it. Flooding it will set us back, but it is part then waiting here for waterboy."

"We have an overpopulation issue! People need that building to be usable."

"And we'll be underpopulated if the dragon has his way."

"If it's the only way for even a chance, we need to do it. If we can make it another way I'm sure we'd be open to trying that too." Siercon said waving at his air bubble. Which looked rather odd as he seemingly was pretty much waving at nothing.

Ooc. how much magic will I burn to make enough of these for the whole way lol. Siercons fine burning all of it, just doesn't want to kill everyone cause he didn't have enough juice lol.

[Endgame]

"Not sure how much your air bubble will help, boy. The flooded portion of the tunnel is over half a mile long, and there will be a lot of water pushing down on you. The length and pressure may very well make it impossible for it to last the full trip."

"Or you can ditch that madman's plan to drain the tunnel, and my aquatic proggs can help you through. Some Proggs are huge, some are tunnelers, some can fly, but me and my men can swim. I'll get my men here, we'll scout out a route, and you'll just have to hold your breath and hold onto us while we swim through. We're way faster swimmers than you."

"...I honestly don't know which choice is best. I don't want to set the colony back by flooding our own construction project, but it is the fastest option... Although the aqua Proggs might get you through, you'd lose a team member by default unless you figure something out, and it'll be slower."

[Siercon and Coral]

"Not sure how much your air bubble will help, boy. The flooded portion of the tunnel is over half a mile long, and there will be a lot of water pushing down on you. The length and pressure may very well make it impossible for it to last the full trip."

"Or you can ditch that madman's plan to drain the tunnel, and my aquatic proggs can help you through. Some Proggs are huge, some are tunnelers, some can fly, but me and my men can swim. I'll get my men here, we'll scout out a route, and you'll just have to hold your breath and hold onto us while we swim through. We're way faster swimmers than you."

"...I honestly don't know which choice is best. I don't want to set the colony back by flooding our own construction project, but it is the fastest option... Although the aqua Proggs might get you through, you'd lose a team member by default unless you figure something out, and it'll be slower."

"Immortal is and his fallen angels will be a very formidable foe. And I doubt we would only lose one of our heroes. We'd lose a dragon as well. Sadly I think we need to flood the chamber. Yes we will lose infrastructure... But the speed and manpower retained are by far more important in such a narrow time frame against a powerful enemy. " Siercon really liked the idea of going with the water proggs but... It just didn't seem logical in the stress of the situation

Edited April 24, 2016 by Siercon and Coral

[Flipz]

"Great, you're afraid of water? I don't suppose you're prepared to fight off an ancient dragon, then."

"Please. I've been to the bottom of the ocean, fought sea monsters as scary as any Dragon. Let's just say it's a...somewhat recently-acquired medical condition, and leave it at that."

"I believe he already did" Siercon said smacking he forehead." He then quickly cast a large air bubble next to Arthur, giving him the option of if he wanted to step in. And then waited for the expected jinnipher demeaning comment.

"If it's the only way for even a chance, we need to do it. If we can make it another way I'm sure we'd be open to trying that too." Siercon said waving at his air bubble. Which looked rather odd as he seemingly was pretty much waving at nothing.

Ooc. how much magic will I burn to make enough of these for the whole way lol. Siercons fine burning all of it, just doesn't want to kill everyone cause he didn't have enough juice lol.

"Not sure how much your air bubble will help, boy. The flooded portion of the tunnel is over half a mile long, and there will be a lot of water pushing down on you. The length and pressure may very well make it impossible for it to last the full trip."

"Or you can ditch that madman's plan to drain the tunnel, and my aquatic proggs can help you through. Some Proggs are huge, some are tunnelers, some can fly, but me and my men can swim. I'll get my men here, we'll scout out a route, and you'll just have to hold your breath and hold onto us while we swim through. We're way faster swimmers than you."

"...I honestly don't know which choice is best. I don't want to set the colony back by flooding our own construction project, but it is the fastest option... Although the aqua Proggs might get you through, you'd lose a team member by default unless you figure something out, and it'll be slower."

"No offense, Siercon, but as much as I trust your spellcasting ability, there are two problems with it. One," Arthur says, setting one foot into the bubble and causing it to dissipate, "is the anti-magic aura of my helmet. I can unequip it, of course, but that then leaves me even more vulnerable to Water than I already am. And two..." Arthur pauses, remembering. "I've already had an underwater air bubble pop on me before, I'm not keen on repeating the experience. Princess Ella and I nearly died that time, and well...let's just say that a repeat occurrence would be one hundred percent fatal to me."

"Immortalis and his fallen angels will be a very formidable foe. And I doubt we would only lose one of our heroes. We'd lose a dragon as well. Sadly I think we need to flood the chamber. Yes we will lose infrastructure... But the speed and manpower retained are by far more important in such a narrow time frame against a powerful enemy. " Siercon really liked the idea of going with the water proggs but... It just didn't seem logical in the stress of the situation

"<You would not lose my aid,>" Miirym interjects. "<As reluctant as I am to leave him, these Proggs seem formidable, and these tunnels seem relatively safe, for the moment. I will accompany you to Billow, regardless of Arthur's presence or lack thereof.>"

"Guys," Arthur adds, "don't worry about me. I'll be fine here, I could maybe even lend a hand. I am something of an engineer, as the Lion Knights can attest, and a former miner to boot. I'd frankly be more useful down here; at most you'd lose the strength of my weapons, and in that case I'd be happy to lend them to Siercon and Jinnipher for as long as we're separated."

"<...very well. I believe Arthur's and my vote goes to swimming, then, considering he is willing to remain behind.>"

[Endgame]

"Good man. And, er, dragon."

"...From someone who has little opinion on this, but was a soldier for many centuries. If you go in there taking too long, or with fewer heroes, expect your enemy to take full advantage of those deficiencies."

"Well... I don't want to see anyone else's work get destroyed. I've seen it once today. I vote swimmng."

"Yes, but I don't want to die. So I say we drain the tunnel and get The Falconer before anything else gets flooded or burned. So it looks like our votes cancel, brother."

Edited April 24, 2016 by Endgame

[Flipz]

"Er...also...second thought...if we flood the residential section, won't that be cutting off our own exit? We'll again have the same problem, only I'll be trapped down here permanently instead."

"<I have spent time refining my spiritual powers. With my will reinforcing the Heroes' own, I am confident a numbers disadvantage may be countered with an advantage of fortune.>"

"And I'd be happy to give Vindsval a Nostrum just to tip the odds even further. Hel, if Vindsval Poisons that Xeno Whip and then I pour my own two venoms on top of it, Lind could use it to great effect as well."

[Endgame]

"Er...also...second thought...if we flood the residential section, won't that be cutting off our own exit? We'll again have the same problem, only I'll be trapped down here permanently instead."

"<I have spent time refining my spiritual powers. With my will reinforcing the Heroes' own, I am confident a numbers disadvantage may be countered with an advantage of fortune.>"

"And I'd be happy to give Vindsval a Nostrum just to tip the odds even further. Hel, if Vindsval Poisons that Xeno Whip and then I pour my own two venoms on top of it, Lind could use it to great effect as well."

"I ran the numbers on that, actually. Remember the ledge you viewed the residential area on as you walked by? It's tall enough to avoid getting submerged. The bottom half of that huge complex will be flooded, but we can just drain it and clean it up like we're going to have to do to this tunnel. Any damage done to the colony is temporary."

"Easy for you to say, when you haven't spent three years in a cramped hole that fits you, your wife, your kids and nothing else. You know, like a quarter of the population has to?"

[JimBee]

"Seriously, though if this storm keeps up, I fear overpopulation will not be a problem..." Sierco said.

"If 'he has his way,' you'll be dealing with no population."

Jinnipher nodded. For once, these two were right. "I'm no optimist myself. The residential area is just rock, and it can be rebuilt. The human-- er, progg -- cost if we delay any longer will be much higher. Plus we leave ourselves vulnerable if Immortalis sends anything our way while we're swimming down there. It wouldn't take much to knock one of us off the aqua proggs and drown, or get separated or trapped. And I am not going to die from drowning. We flood the residential district."

[swils]

"Don't s'pose we could drain just enough to have headroom and freeze a path on the surface as we go, eh? Hate t'say it, but I'm in favor of flooding the district otherwise."