Heroica RPG - Quest #147: Judgment Day

[Kintobor]

Karie waits for Charon's next response, clearly becoming impatient with the angel.

[Endgame]

Vindsval snorts in disgust.

So you are giving us the option of return your creatures, or you will visit undetermined destruction and death upon our fellows. Do I hear you correctly?

Charon shrugs.

"This time, it will be Eubric hurting itself. I can have my men stop it. I can also have them not. Your pick."

<And when you inevitably force your friends back into action to try and stop us, they'll only come to more harm--and worse, if together you somehow manage to stop us, all the rioters die anyway in the storm.>

Arthur tries his own hand at Diplomacy. "It would be best for everyone involved if we simply return them once we enter Eschaton, as we originally planned. If you want your friends returned there right this instant, you might as well take us with you--we're going there regardless, and I suspect you're planning to fight us anyway, so we might as well save all of us a lot of time and cut to the chase."

"Force them back into...? What? It's unhealthy for a human to be out cold for this long, let alone an angel, and I doubt you've given them proper treatment. You think I'm just going to wake them up and tell them to get back on the front lines again after you beat them to the brink of death? They may never be the same at this point. Who knows what injuries they have? What issues? You can't just tote around a body like its luggage and expect it to be fine. If you actually care about preserving their lives, you will put it in the hands of those who can give proper treatment. Otherwise, you're just using them as blackmail." A tinge of desperation was in Charon's voice.

"Hah. Nice try. You're not getting a free ride into Eschaton, especially not from me."

"Tch, just typical. I'm getting really tired of your threats, and the fact that you think your above Nephilim. Innocents will die no matter what if you succeed. A riot is no concern of mine."

"I hate them as much as you do. And if you think a riot is of no concern to you... Well, you can learn that the hard way.

I've made myself clear enough, I think. Decide. Now."

[Siercon and Coral]

Siercon replied. "You have made yourself clear. You have threatened us with 'not stopping a mob' for it will endanger our friends lives. Mobs are hungry beasts and will tear themselves apart without food. Have you failed to perceive that your unconscious friends are their perfect food? The mob won't tear itself apart, not when you and these tasty morsels are here. This isn't a threat, or some devious plan of mine. Just realize if you don't stop the mob, and they hear you and two of your generals are here partially incapacitated... Our friends aren't in danger, the mob will be coming after us. And we'd only be in danger if we continue to protect what they want. And who can blame them. You and these here are seeking to exterminate them. What you call a mob, is an army coming to get you and your friends. Do what you like, were marching into your gates regardless."

Siercon doesn't care for Charons ultimatum.

[Endgame]

"If not for the angel's, then you can disregard your own personal safety. Just know that the blood will be on your hands in the end. Besides... Who is to say I won't be protecting my own if you make the wrong choice?

You are being exceptionally stubborn here. If you care about the angel's well being in the slightest, you know the choice you have to make. If you care about innocents' lives in the slightest, you know the choice you must make. Otherwise, well, the consequences are your own."

Edited June 17, 2016 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

Karie snorts at Charon's mention of the word stubborn. She'd heard enough.

"Deal's off, Charon. See ya soon." She turned to the rest of the party. "We're not going to get far with him. Everyone say your peace to this chump and let's be on our way."

Edited June 17, 2016 by Kintobor

[Endgame]

Karie snorts at Charon's mention of the word stubborn. She'd heard enough.

"Deal's off, Charon. See ya soon." She turned to the rest of the party. "We're not going to get far with him. Everyone say your peace to this chump and let's be on our way."

"...Octavyn Scelin."

[Siercon and Coral]

Siercon subtly holds on to the prisoners as if they might get warpped and whisked away and he would be dragged with them.

[Asphalt]

Until we meet next Charon. Give a message to the Dark Lady for me, Tell her there will be a time when you are not there to protect her. We will then finish our business.

He moves to Karie's side, ready to leave or defend himself if needed.

[Flipz]

"Force them back into...? What? It's unhealthy for a human to be out cold for this long, let alone an angel, and I doubt you've given them proper treatment. You think I'm just going to wake them up and tell them to get back on the front lines again after you beat them to the brink of death? They may never be the same at this point. Who knows what injuries they have? What issues? You can't just tote around a body like its luggage and expect it to be fine. If you actually care about preserving their lives, you will put it in the hands of those who can give proper treatment. Otherwise, you're just using them as blackmail." A tinge of desperation was in Charon's voice.

"Hah. Nice try. You're not getting a free ride into Eschaton, especially not from me."

"...see, I want you to be telling the truth, because your concerns for them are mirroring mine. The problem is...I just don't believe you. In the short time I've known you angels, none of you have shown even small traces of humanity or decency--only blackmail and coercion and violence and hatred. Even when Telethia died your comrades would not allow me to save her. So I'm finding it hard to believe that you actually give a damn about them. And as for their treatment, if your friend Vaermina--who you refused to let us stop, I should point out--hadn't drawn our attention with her disgusting magic show, then Corvis and Glaz would already be in Heroica Hall getting that very treatment. So again, until I personally see they are being properly cared for, they are not leaving my sight."

<Nor mine.>

Siercon subtly holds on to the prisoners as if they might get warpped and whisked away and he would be dragged with them.

Arthur's forehead wrinkles as Siercon grabs him and the angels; it's clear he wants to facepalm but can't while he's keeping the angels shielded beneath his cloak. "Gods dammit, why does this keep happening to me tonight?"

"...Octavyn Scelin."

"...gods dammit." Arthur looks to Karie and Masson, not wanting to let his personal biases keep him from following their cues.

[Kintobor]

Karie closed her eyes and cursed under her breath. Her frustration was beginning to swell into anger as she took a deep breath.

"You're once again putting lives of the Syndicate members at stake to put me at a disadvantage. That's cold, Charon. Ice cold." Karie struggled to concentrate, finding herself wanting to lash out, but remembering Arthur's remark about her. It pained her to turn to him.

"Arthur..." She paused, thinking her next words ahead, nodding towards Charon. "He's got my arm twisted here. I need you to hand them over. I'm sorry."

[Siercon and Coral]

Noticing Arthur's wrinkle Siercon relaxes a bit and tries to be less intrusive. "Sorry Arthur, I just don't trust portal masters... Especially this one."

[Flipz]

Noticing Arthur's wrinkle Siercon relaxes a bit and tries to be less intrusive. "Sorry Arthur, I just don't trust portal masters... Especially this one."

"...thank you. Much appreciated."

Karie closed her eyes and cursed under her breath. Her frustration was beginning to swell into anger as she took a deep breath.

"You're once again putting lives of the Syndicate members at stake to put me at a disadvantage. That's cold, Charon. Ice cold." Karie struggled to concentrate, finding herself wanting to lash out, but remembering Arthur's remark about her. It pained her to turn to him.

"Arthur..." She paused, thinking her next words ahead, nodding towards Charon. "He's got my arm twisted here. I need you to hand them over. I'm sorry."

At Karie's command, Arthur slowly nods. "Very well...but I'm going with them. I don't trust Charon, and I'd like another shot at trying to talk Immortalis down. I bet Miirym would, too."

<Indeed.>

"Would that be acceptable, Charon?" Arthur asks Diplomatically. "I doubt Immortalis would be opposed. And I give you my word Miirym and I will go with you in peace. I'll even leave my equipment with the Heroes, if that will reassure you."

Edited June 17, 2016 by Flipz

[Asphalt]

Vindsval stops short as Arthur offers himself with the angels. He moves from Karie's side to Arthur's. He lays a hand softly on his shoulder.

Arthur my friend, what is it you are offering here? Is this truly the Path you wish to walk?

Edited June 18, 2016 by Asphalt

[Flipz]

Vindsval stops short as Arthur offers himself with the angels. He moves from Karie's side to Arthur's. He lays a hand softly on his shoulder.

Arthur my friend, what is it you are offering here? Is this truly the Path you wish to walk?

"I'm tired, Vindsval. Tired of the bickering, the suffering, all of it. I want to do right by these angels, but I don't trust Charon to do it. I want to convince Immortalis to cease this storm, but I don't trust all of this party will stand behind that message when I try to deliver it. And therein lies the problem: I have so few people I can fully trust, I have to try and solve everything myself. I'm not doing any good as a part of this party anyway, so I might as well try to do some good on my own, in the way that only I can."

<You truly believe this? That you are accomplishing nothing?>

Arthur shrugs his shoulders. "Yes." The Dragoon droops wearily, bone-tired.

<...hmm.>

[Endgame]

"The fact that you think I won't take care of my friends - after it was you who killed my girlfriend... Well. Bit insulting, dont'cha think?"

Charon seemingly grits his teeth as he is thinking of something.

"Just the dragon can go to Eschaton."

Edited June 18, 2016 by Endgame

[Flipz]

"The fact that you think I won't take care of my friends - after it was you who killed my girlfriend... Well. Bit insulting, dont'cha think?"

Charon seemingly grits his teeth as he is thinking of something.

"Just the dragon can go to Eschaton."

"It was your friends who refused to let me administer a Phoenix Essence."

Arthur looks to Miirym. "It's your choice."

Miirym takes a few moments, landing near Arthur as she weighs the options. <...all right. I accept.>

Arthur embraces his adtoptive daughter. "Be safe. Be well." He looks her straight in the eye. "Make good use of your time with him, all right?"

Miirym nods, looking vulnerable. <I will.> She turns her attention to Charon. <I'm ready.>

[Kintobor]

Karie heaved a sigh of relief. There was enough on the line tonight. She didn't like what she'd been contorted into doing, but she was at least relieved certain individuals would survive the night. She turned her attention to Charon, her anger beginning to bolster just looking at the angel. This was the last time she was being screwed over by this clown. She said nothing, but made her displeasure known.

"As I said earlier, see you soon." Karie said, the humour in her voice from before missing. It had seemingly been replaced with a brooding determination.

[swils]

Arx steps forward, to Thormanil's surprise. In draconian, he addresses Charon and Miirym:

<"I would accompany her, if she would have me, and you would allow.">

"You don't have to do this, Arx!" Thormanil exclaims, quite stunned at the gesture. "If she wants t'go headfirst into Immortalis' grasp, let her! If there's a riot we've gotta stop, I'll need you here. And beyond that, I won't let you go and do something crazy like this!"

<"I agree it is dangerous, my friend, but if she is dead set on going, and she certainly appears to be, then I can not allow her to enter the wolf's den alone, or at least not without offering my company. And so, Miirym?">

[JimBee]

Karie snorts at Charon's mention of the word stubborn. She'd heard enough.

"Deal's off, Charon. See ya soon." She turned to the rest of the party. "We're not going to get far with him. Everyone say your peace to this chump and let's be on our way."

Karie closed her eyes and cursed under her breath. Her frustration was beginning to swell into anger as she took a deep breath.

"You're once again putting lives of the Syndicate members at stake to put me at a disadvantage. That's cold, Charon. Ice cold." Karie struggled to concentrate, finding herself wanting to lash out, but remembering Arthur's remark about her. It pained her to turn to him.

"Arthur..." She paused, thinking her next words ahead, nodding towards Charon. "He's got my arm twisted here. I need you to hand them over. I'm sorry."

"That was a quick turnaround. Just because it's your friends in danger instead of someone else's doesn't change the situation. You let him get the best of you again. And you caved."

Jinnipher crossed her arms.

[Flipz]

Arx steps forward, to Thormanil's surprise. In draconian, he addresses Charon and Miirym:

<"I would accompany her, if she would have me, and you would allow.">

"You don't have to do this, Arx!" Thormanil exclaims, quite stunned at the gesture. "If she wants t'go headfirst into Immortalis' grasp, let her! If there's a riot we've gotta stop, I'll need you here. And beyond that, I won't let you go and do something crazy like this!"

<"I agree it is dangerous, my friend, but if she is dead set on going, and she certainly appears to be, then I can not allow her to enter the wolf's den alone, or at least not without offering my company. And so, Miirym?">

<"...I am...unopposed. But you would be held to my promise of peace. And Charon is the one whose decision determines your presence.">

[Siercon and Coral]

"Charon... Immortalis knows the future. He knowingly sent your girlfriend to her death. Did he tell you before hand? Did you agree? Well honestly, he's going to do the same to you and himself." Siercon said.

[swils]

Still in draconian, <"If they would do us no harm, I will refrain as well. But violence will be met with violence... So, Charon?"> he eyes the angel apprehensively.

[Lind Whisperer]

"Force them back into...? What? It's unhealthy for a human to be out cold for this long, let alone an angel, and I doubt you've given them proper treatment. You think I'm just going to wake them up and tell them to get back on the front lines again after you beat them to the brink of death? They may never be the same at this point. Who knows what injuries they have? What issues? You can't just tote around a body like its luggage and expect it to be fine. If you actually care about preserving their lives, you will put it in the hands of those who can give proper treatment. Otherwise, you're just using them as blackmail." A tinge of desperation was in Charon's voice.

The Black Knight laughed.

"'We're using them as blackmail.'

So, it's alright to threaten our friends to get your way, but when we do it, it's blackmail?

Pick one or the other, Charon. You can't have it both ways."

"I'm tired, Vindsval. Tired of the bickering, the suffering, all of it. I want to do right by these angels, but I don't trust Charon to do it. I want to convince Immortalis to cease this storm, but I don't trust all of this party will stand behind that message when I try to deliver it. And therein lies the problem: I have so few people I can fully trust, I have to try and solve everything myself. I'm not doing any good as a part of this party anyway, so I might as well try to do some good on my own, in the way that only I can."

"Arthur, I've talked with Immortalis myself - probably more than any of you. Maybe more than all of you combined.

He's not going to change his mind, just because you tell him he ought to."

[Endgame]

"It was your friends who refused to let me administer a Phoenix Essence."

"Phoenix essence isn't going to repair someone who just had everything in their ribcage blasted out, as much as you might hope it would. Really well aimed shot, Gabe."

Gabriel shudders as Charon clances at him.

"Charon... Immortalis knows the future. He knowingly sent your girlfriend to her death. Did he tell you before hand? Did you agree? Well honestly, he's going to do the same to you and himself." Siercon said.

"You were the first to tell him that there were a million futures, Siercon. He sent her knowing there was a chance she would die, but all leaders do that, right, Masson?"

Masson shrinks back. Charon chuckles.

"Don't play dumb just to try to shift blame. "

Arx steps forward, to Thormanil's surprise. In draconian, he addresses Charon and Miirym:

<"I would accompany her, if she would have me, and you would allow.">

"You don't have to do this, Arx!" Thormanil exclaims, quite stunned at the gesture. "If she wants t'go headfirst into Immortalis' grasp, let her! If there's a riot we've gotta stop, I'll need you here. And beyond that, I won't let you go and do something crazy like this!"

<"I agree it is dangerous, my friend, but if she is dead set on going, and she certainly appears to be, then I can not allow her to enter the wolf's den alone, or at least not without offering my company. And so, Miirym?">

"Well, both dragons want to come along? Eh, to hell with it. Why not?"

Charon lifts a finger, and gently floats the ragdolls of his two comrades over to him. They vanish into portals. Meanwhile, the Archangel draws his cane and rends another hole in reality.

"Come along now."

The dragons oblige, and step into Eschaton. Charon looks at the heroes one last time.

"I ' l l b e w a i t i n g."

And with that, Charon disappears. The Falconer shakes her head solemnly.

"Let's get to the Hall. It's about time we ended this."

QM Note: PM for Arx/Miirym will be sent soon.

Edited June 19, 2016 by Endgame

[Asphalt]

As will I.

Lead on Falconer.