Heroica RPG - Quest #147: Judgment Day

[Endgame]

QM Note: Just want to let Siercon and Thormanil get a little say in the happenings while I work on the next update's content (hopefully tonight/tomorrow morning).

[swils]

Sorry, something came up and I'll be mostly unavailable until tomorrow evening. Please don't let me hold it up.

[Siercon and Coral]

Karie shrugged. "I've been in their position before. They needed a push. Hopefully they actually do something with that money and not go back."

Loot Distribution:

Karie: Mead

Lind: Remedy x2, Mulled Wine

Thormanil: Sam's Flask

Siercon: Remedy x2, Mead x2

Jinnipher: Black and Blue Hair Dye

Siercon replied to her actions, "Thank you, you are too kind. I truly hope they grow from what you have given them. I think that was a selfless thing to do. " He takes the vials, and pockets them.

"P-please no *wheeze* arguing... We're near Way's End. We just gotta keep going straight."

"Indeed, we shall."Siercon said plodding ahead. Soon after however Siercon approached silently, trying to be respectful, and spoke so others around couldn't really hear. "Excuse me, and I hope you don't mind me asking, but would a remedy help your breathing, or perhaps alleviate anything?" Siercon asked offering the large crustacean a remedy.

[Endgame]

"Indeed, we shall."Siercon said plodding ahead. Soon after however Siercon approached silently, trying to be respectful, and spoke so others around couldn't really hear. "Excuse me, and I hope you don't mind me asking, but would a remedy help your breathing, or perhaps alleviate anything?" Siercon asked offering the large crustacean a remedy.

"No, thank you, it has been like that since I *wheeze* was born. Trust me, this is almost a literal *cough* walk in the park compared to what I was up to last Winter... Many thanks for the offer, though."

"Regardless, we must press on. I do not wish to lurk in this alley, especially if three others died here."

And so, the heroes and the ambassadors press onwards. They sweep West through the city, winding through alleyways full of milling people. They all seemed rather tense - eyeing the party with some concern, referring to newspapers they clutched in their hands, whispering amongst themselves...

"It is abnromal to see all of the houses gathered like this, I suppose..." says the scientist, giving a harsh glance to her Sungold opponents.

"Or perhaps they somehow know that the dragon's judgment is coming...?"

Nonetheless, the party presses onwards, and soon find themselves beyond the city's limits. They keep walking, as instructed, hoping to run into one of Immortalis's associates.

Instead, they got something else...

A large pack of foraging direwolves! Pups, judging by the size, but in such huge numbers they could easily outflank the party...

Prepare For Batt-!

And at that moment, a column of wind shoots through the pack, cutting right through and dispersing half of them. The other half flee in terror. A shadowy figure swoops onto the path, gesturing the wolves away.

"Sorry, I probably should've showed up a little bit sooner."

"I find myzelf in agreement..." says Umbra, eyes wide after seeing the being cut through the pack of direwolves like that. She had seen battle before, along with Punii, but the less experienced were a bit shaken.

"But the past is the past, and I'm all about the future. Name's Charon. I know some of you, but for the unaware, I'm Immortalis's second in command.

So... Who'd like to meet the Father of Dragons?"

[Lind Whisperer]

"Or perhaps they somehow know that the dragon's judgment is coming...?"

"I didn't spill it to anyone."

Other than the Elders, but that's a given...the Munchkin silently thought to himself.

And at that moment, a column of wind shoots through the pack, cutting right through and dispersing half of them. The other half flee in terror. A shadowy figure swoops onto the path, gesturing the wolves away.

"Sorry, I probably should've showed up a little bit sooner."

"Lord Charon!" the Black Knight cheered, smiling widely and saluting. "Excellent to see you again!"

[Endgame]

"Agreed, but where'd you get the "Lord" thing from?"

[Lind Whisperer]

"Agreed, but where'd you get the "Lord" thing from?"

"Well, this is all very formal, and you're the interdimensional second-in-command of the Father of Dragons himself.

It seemed a fitting title of address, under the circumstances."

[Endgame]

"I'm hardly worthy of all that acclaim - I'm just a man doing his job.

I certainly hope you haven't been flattering myself and the boss too much, Whisperer." said Charon in a tone that made Lind suspect Charon already knew the answer.

[Lind Whisperer]

"Nothin' the Vater of Drachen and his Second-in-command can't back up in infinities." The Black Knight made a wide swoop with his arm, and dipped his head towards the Eubric dignities. "Ladies, gentlemen - let me introduce you to Charon, grand Immortalis' Second-in-command, and...second in command.

Madam Alderflask and Pr-Lady Booch-chair and I first met him during the crisis over in Moone."

[Kintobor]

Siercon replied to her actions, "Thank you, you are too kind. I truly hope they grow from what you have given them. I think that was a selfless thing to do. " He takes the vials, and pockets them.

Karie blinked, not sure how to react to Siercon's response. "Um, thank you. I'm glad someone agrees with me."

----

"Sorry, I probably should've showed up a little bit sooner."

"I find myzelf in agreement..." says Umbra, eyes wide after seeing the being cut through the pack of direwolves like that. She had seen battle before, along with Punii, but the less experienced were a bit shaken.

"But the past is the past, and I'm all about the future. Name's Charon. I know some of you, but for the unaware, I'm Immortalis's second in command.

So... Who'd like to meet the Father of Dragons?"

Karie deeply frowned at Charon's arrival. She didn't bother take a step forward and merely crossed her arms, squinting her eyes and looking Charon over.

"I see you haven't changed a bit."

Karie looked over her shoulder to Umbra.

"This little creep is Immortalis's pet. I'd watch yourself around him."

[JimBee]

"Hello birdboy. Yes, that's why we're here, so let's get this over with." Jinnipher inspected her fingernails idly.

[Endgame]

Karie blinked, not sure how to react to Siercon's response. "Um, thank you. I'm glad someone agrees with me."

----

Karie deeply frowned at Charon's arrival. She didn't bother take a step forward and merely crossed her arms, squinting her eyes and looking Charon over.

"I see you haven't changed a bit."

Karie looked over her shoulder to Umbra.

"This little creep is Immortalis's pet. I'd watch yourself around him."

"Noted."

"I wasn't aware there was such bad blood between us? Hey, listen. I tried helping you guys out. You don't agree with our philosophy, okay, that's fine. But that was kind of uncalled for, no?

So, I guess what I'm asking is... Why don't you give Eschaton a chance, and we can start off on the right foot this time around?"

"Hello birdboy. Yes, that's why we're here, so let's get this over with." Jinnipher inspected her fingernails idly.

"Fair enough. Like what you did with your nails, by the way." says Charon earnestly.

"Now, since there's a whole bunch of you, a small portal isn't going to cut it..."

Charon picks up his cane and jabs forward. Part of it seemingly disappeared and warped the air around it, looking like reality itself was rippling. With a simple gesture, a huge portal opens.

"In you go."

Patricia Ziegfried admires the portal.

"That's unlike anything I've seen, in terms of portal magic."

"I'm older than I look. I've been around long enough to make my own blend."

QM Note: Lost a .lxf file I needed to finish, so the second half of this update will come later.

[Endgame]

----

The party, ambassadors in tow, march through the portal. At first, their surroundings don't change - but in a flash of white, they find themselves still walking, and step by step the road outside of Eubric morphs into something far different. The party is whisked elsewhere in the world, and they catch sight of their contact.

He towered over all of them, all four of his nebulous wings splayed out in full glory. He wasn't coiled, his serpentine tail stretching out behind him, the majestic being holding himself high. He looks down on Charon, his glowing blue eyes full of power, but also kindness.

"Charon. I see you have brought our guests."

"Indeed, sir."

Immortalis turns to the party. He bows sincerely and respectfully.

"Heroes of Heroica and representatives of the Houses of Eubric, I bid you the warmest of welcomes. I am very glad you were able to meet with me today.Some of you have met me before, but those who have not, I am Immortalis."

The dragon's voice is old and wizened. He speaks and moves with grace and a gently, despite his huge stature and the vast number of weapons his body had.

"Now, I assure you, this is not my realm, Eschaton. We will be heading to Eschaton soon, and you will find my realm to be much more idyllic than this. I had Charon bring you here first to make something of a point."

Immortalis gestures to the desolation around him.A light drizzle seeps into the seemingly infinite expanse of sand and rubble around them.

"Look around for me, heroes."

"Do any of you have any idea where you are? Where this is?"

Edited March 13, 2016 by Endgame

[swils]

<"Dragon? He looks more like a worm with wings..."> Arx couldn't help but remark, knowing he would likely be overheard, but hoping he wouldn't. Thormanil shoots him an acknowledging, yet stern, glance, and then addresses Immortalis, "With no offense, this looks like an absolute wasteland."

[Lind Whisperer]

"Fair enough. Like what you did with your nails, by the way." says Charon earnestly.

"Now, since there's a whole bunch of you, a small portal isn't going to cut it..."

Charon picks up his cane and jabs forward. Part of it seemingly disappeared and warped the air around it, looking like reality itself was rippling. With a simple gesture, a huge portal opens.

The Black Knight silently drew in his breath at the beautiful creation.

Immortalis turns to the party. He bows sincerely and respectfully.

The Black Knight returned the gesture as best as he could.

"Look around for me, heroes."

"Do any of you have any idea where you are? Where this is?"

The Black Knight pondered. It was too flat, and unbroken to be Xhimanosis, and too desolate to be the Beginning of Time.

"...Is this Eubric's future, m'lord?"

Edited March 13, 2016 by Lind Whisperer

[Endgame]

<"Dragon? He looks more like a worm with wings..."> Arx couldn't help but remark, knowing he would likely be overheard, but hoping he wouldn't. Thormanil shoots him an acknowledging, yet stern, glance, and then addresses Immortalis, "With no offense, this looks like an absolute wasteland."

Immortalis does not seem to be offended, and merely chuckles. He speaks in a draconic tongue.

<You are not far off, young one, to be perfectly honest. All species emerged from the mud at one point or another. I just happened to have slithered. Dragons have certainly changed in the years I have lived. Judging by the hue of your scales, you may end up looking a bit like me, in the end.

Tell me, child, what is your name?>

Immortalis addresses the human speakers.

"With no offense, this looks like an absolute wasteland."

"None taken. You are absolutely correct."

The Black Knight pondered. It was too flat, and unbroken to be Xhimanosis, and too desolate to be the Beginning of Time.

"...Is this Eubric's future, m'lord?"

"Potentially, yes. This is not Eubric's future. This is a very real place in the present time. It used to have many things - beautiful towers, bustling streets, thousands of people. It used to even have a name. But they got too involved with powers they could not hope to tame, powers that would've resulted than a far bigger and far bloodier wasteland then what you see right now.

Heroes. Ambassadors. This was the first place I ever had to erase. And you will notice how it has stayed erased, despite how many aeons have marched pass since its disappearance. I show people this image, to communicate the severity of what we're dealing with here. I have prophetic abilities. I can see many futures. And the fact that the desolation you see before you is preferable to many of the futures I see for Eubric... Well, I think that is telling enough.

That is why I must judge you."

[Siercon and Coral]

"Heroes of Heroica and representatives of the Houses of Eubric, I bid you the warmest of welcomes. I am very glad you were able to meet with me today. Some of you have met me before, but those who have not, I am Immortalis."

Siercon had been silently eyeing Charon's wings, but then there were Immortalis'. He has four... A set to spare Siercon thought.

The dragon's voice is old and wizened. He speaks and moves with grace and a gently, despite his huge stature and the vast number of weapons his body had.

"Now, I assure you, this is not my realm, Eschaton. We will be heading to Eschaton soon, and you will find my realm to be much more idyllic than this. I had Charon bring you here first to make something of a point."

Immortalis gestures to the desolation around him.A light drizzle seeps into the seemingly infinite expanse of sand and rubble around them.

"Look around for me, heroes."

"Do any of you have any idea where you are? Where this is?"

"A shark infested, Coffee Ocean?" Siercon said.

Immortalis does not seem to be offended, and merely chuckles. He speaks in a draconic tongue.

<You are not far off, young one, to be perfectly honest. All species emerged from the mud at one point or another. I just happened to have slithered. Dragons have certainly changed in the years I have lived. Judging by the hue of your scales, you may end up looking a bit like me, in the end.

Tell me, child, what is your name?>

Siercon put up his hood of animal speak, as the Draconic speech started.

Immortalis addresses the human speakers.

"None taken. You are absolutely correct."

"Potentially, yes. This is not Eubric's future. This is a very real place in the present time. It used to have many things - beautiful towers, bustling streets, thousands of people. It used to even have a name. But they got too involved with powers they could not hope to tame, powers that would've resulted than a far bigger and far bloodier wasteland then what you see right now.

Heroes. Ambassadors. This was the first place I ever had to erase. And you will notice how it has stayed erased, despite how many aeons have marched pass since its disappearance. I show people this image, to communicate the severity of what we're dealing with here. I have prophetic abilities. I can see many futures. And the fact that the desolation you see before you is preferable to many of the futures I see for Eubric... Well, I think that is telling enough.

That is why I must judge you."

"Among an infinite number of future possibilities, 'many' can be a meager few... can your great power only cause desolation, or has your prophesy combined with your judgments ever made a favorable verdict? Among this devastation, can show us what your prophetic wisdom has protected so far?" Siercon paused... He didn't quite trust Immortalis, but he spoke without anger, and tried not to sound insolent. Then looking towards arx. "And this child you speak to... how might one say, he may look like you, and then show us you will make him look like this." Siercon said pointing to the desolation. "Do we stand before an ultimatum of any glorious options, or just a self fulfilling prophecy with you at the eye of the storm which destroys permanently?"

Edited March 13, 2016 by Siercon and Coral

[Endgame]

"You raise fair points. No, my powers present a myriad roads. In the same way that there is an infinite number of possibilities, my visions do not drift towards either the good or the bad. They present me with what may happen, and the futures where Eubric escapes unscathed are preciously slim. The ones where it ends in cataclysm for the city itself and those around it... Far, far too numerous. It is not worth the risk. My intervention is quite necessary.

I have done more than cause destruction. I have helped appoint the first ruler of Dastan. It was I who made the dragons what they were. I stopped Nathuz and Draida's destruction, once upon a time. And though I confess my most recent endeavor was a costly one, I prevented conflict between Dastan and Moone. It cost me my son, but..."

Immortalis looks distant for a moment.

"There is a time where the needs of the many come before my own."

"No, there is a very real possibility I choose one of these ambassadors to lead Eubric away from the future it holds..."

Immortalis gestures to the awestruck group behind them, as if they were trying to find the correct words to say.

"...and there is a very real possibility that I do not. After my judgment, time will tell."

[JimBee]

Jinnipher crossed her arms. "Yeah, yeah. High and mighty hocus pocus. Look, instead of sitting up on your ethereal throne and judging everyone else, why don't you get down and help shape the world? As old as you are you might be able to advise a king or two on what they should or shouldn't do. Burning everything to the ground doesn't help anyone. And if people meddle in powers greater than themselves, they're more than capable of solving their own problems. You're no less guilty of meddling yourself."

"Among an infinite number of future possibilities, 'many' can be a meager few... can your great power only cause desolation, or has your prophesy combined with your judgments ever made a favorable verdict? Among this devastation, can show us what your prophetic wisdom has protected so far?" Siercon paused... He didn't quite trust Immortalis, but he spoke without anger, and tried not to sound insolent. Then looking towards arx. "And this child you speak to... how might one say, he may look like you, and then show us you will make him look like this." Siercon said pointing to the desolation. "Do we stand before an ultimatum of any glorious options, or just a self fulfilling prophecy with you at the eye of the storm which destroys permanently?"

"Enough of the theatrics, shadow man. This dragon is all talk and we're free to choose our own destiny."

[Endgame]

Jinnipher crossed her arms. "Yeah, yeah. High and mighty hocus pocus. Look, instead of sitting up on your ethereal throne and judging everyone else, why don't you get down and help shape the world? As old as you are you might be able to advise a king or two on what they should or shouldn't do. Burning everything to the ground doesn't help anyone. And if people meddle in powers greater than themselves, they're more than capable of solving their own problems. You're no less guilty of meddling yourself."

"Enough of the theatrics, shadow man. This dragon is all talk and we're free to choose our own destiny."

"That's the purpose, here. The house I choose shall receive my backing and guidance, and then we'll sort out Eubric from there.

I am afraid you may have missed the purpose of this demonstration. I am taking this very seriously, Jinnipher. I am not beyond doing what is necessary. As for choosing your own fates... Absolutely. I believe in that wholeheartedly. That is why I limit my appearances in your world. But if your choices condemn the lives of so many, then I will not allow that. I refuse to let the rich start a war so that the poor can die in it."

[JimBee]

As for choosing your own fates... Absolutely. I believe in that wholeheartedly. That is why I limit my appearances in your world. But if your choices condemn the lives of so many, then I will not allow that. I refuse to let the rich start a war so that the poor can die in it."

"Do not think for a second that I am not taking this seriously. But our choices will be our choices. I do not want a war any more than you do, but I am not the one abusing power to justify choosing one side over the other. If you're so old and wise, then you should realize that there's nothing to be learned here. Humans will be humans, and the strong will control the weak. Until the weak decide for themselves that they're through taking it. You destroying everything will never allow that to happen, to let people decide for themselves what is good and right."

[Endgame]

"I did allow one place to destroy itself, and set an example - either for good or bad.

The one time I was lenient, a massive chunk of a continent got submerged under water. Never again will I make the same mistake. And never did you learn.

You seem to think I exist outside the system. I do not. If you do not like my verdict, and choose to topple me... So be it. I am not foolish. I understand we one day may meet in battle. Just know I did not live this long through weakness."

Edited March 13, 2016 by Endgame

[JimBee]

You seem to think I exist outside the system. I do not. If you do not like my verdict, and choose to topple me... So be it. I am not foolish. I understand we one day may meet in battle. Just know I did not live this long through weakness."

"And neither have we, the ones you are judging. History repeats itself but we survive and we advance. It's a dog-eat-dog world, but there is order where we choose to make it. So I'll ask again: who are you to judge? You are separated from this world. You live in your own realm as you sit and watch ours. Have you asked the poor what they want? All I see here are representatives from the rich."

[Lind Whisperer]

"And neither have we, the ones you are judging. History repeats itself but we survive and we advance. It's a dog-eat-dog world, but there is order where we choose to make it. So I'll ask again: who are you to judge? You are separated from this world. You live in your own realm as you sit and watch ours. Have you asked the poor what they want? All I see here are representatives from the rich."

"I hate to admit it, but Jenny does have a point there..."

[Kintobor]

"Noted."

"I wasn't aware there was such bad blood between us? Hey, listen. I tried helping you guys out. You don't agree with our philosophy, okay, that's fine. But that was kind of uncalled for, no?

So, I guess what I'm asking is... Why don't you give Eschaton a chance, and we can start off on the right foot this time around?"

"We'll see, Charon. I suppose it's up to your master to determine what happens, seeing how he has you so tightly wrapped around his fingers." Karie stated, rather sincerely.

Immortalis turns to the party. He bows sincerely and respectfully.

"Heroes of Heroica and representatives of the Houses of Eubric, I bid you the warmest of welcomes. I am very glad you were able to meet with me today.Some of you have met me before, but those who have not, I am Immortalis."

The dragon's voice is old and wizened. He speaks and moves with grace and a gently, despite his huge stature and the vast number of weapons his body had.

"Now, I assure you, this is not my realm, Eschaton. We will be heading to Eschaton soon, and you will find my realm to be much more idyllic than this. I had Charon bring you here first to make something of a point."

Immortalis gestures to the desolation around him.A light drizzle seeps into the seemingly infinite expanse of sand and rubble around them.

"Look around for me, heroes."

"Do any of you have any idea where you are? Where this is?"

Karie's stance around Immortalis straightens, here hands idly around her weapons.

"Some warm welcome." Karie comments, noting the atmosphere. She looks less than honoured to see Immortalis again.