Heroica RPG - Quest #150: A Moment of Silence

[Waterbrick Down]

"Agreed, I think Kaarstal would be the best judge of 'His Gentlemanliness'. Let's get back to headquarters. It seems like this is all buildin' to a head."

[-obelix-]

Thalion nodded, "Yes, and we are probably walking into a trap but it is not as though we have much of a choice."

[Zepher]

Boomingham watches with bemusement as the men break and then reinstate their vows of silence. "That's one Hel of a way to have a vow," he mutters.

Hand the edain to Kaarstal and tell him he was trying to assassinate him, let you clan leader demonstrate his methods for dealing with those who come after him.

Let's go to headquarters. I am concerned. We've had plots on Kaarstal, Grishnod and Gor. Taravalk is next in line? But for all we've 'foiled' these plots it feels like we are still being led by the nose. And we have not come across the burning pilgrim yet either, only the shining pilgrim who seems to be one of the wandering silence. Unless the other one was the burning one. Still. It could well be a trap.

Nerwen heals Boomingham and Skrall.

"Got to agree. I'd like to lop an assassin or two's head off to show them we mean business, but as it stands can't think of any individual one that deserves it. Maybe the Red Death will give us a chance to show what the sharp side of our blades can do." He follows behind Nerwen. "This is likely to be that Red Assassin, isn't it?"

[Chromeknight]

Yes. This one we will have to kill.

[CMP]

Hand the edain to Kaarstal and tell him he was trying to assassinate him, let you clan leader demonstrate his methods for dealing with those who come after him.

"Agreed, I think Kaarstal would be the best judge of 'His Gentlemanliness'. Let's get back to headquarters. It seems like this is all buildin' to a head."

"Sounds reasonable to me. Who knows, maybe you'll catch him in a good mood, and he'll plaster you into a nice statue for his study, art collector that he is," remarks Olmstyr to the Thief. "But I hesitate to think what that would do to your ego."

Thalion nodded, "Yes, and we are probably walking into a trap but it is not as though we have much of a choice."

"Surely if there's a trap it's gonna be sprung on Tarvalk. Right? They ARE still after the clan leaders...right?"

"The information suggested as much...the perpetrators suggest otherwise. If they really wanted the clan leaders dead they wouldn't be holding back their teleporting marksmen."

Boomingham watches with bemusement as the men break and then reinstate their vows of silence. "That's one Hel of a way to have a vow," he mutters.

"We're ones to talk, I could swear up a storm with all these oaths," Olmstyr chuckled.

"Got to agree. I'd like to lop an assassin or two's head off to show them we mean business, but as it stands can't think of any individual one that deserves it. Maybe the Red Death will give us a chance to show what the sharp side of our blades can do." He follows behind Nerwen. "This is likely to be that Red Assassin, isn't it?"

Yes. This one we will have to kill.

"Pity. Here I was thinking we could let all five killers walk free." Tra-Serral rolled her pale eyes a bit. "I question why the color of your assassins matter so much to you."

The heroes clamber down the ladder back to the ground, keeping the Gentleman Thief secured between them. Daske grabs the somewhat bizarre excuse for an assassin and shoves him into the arms of the nearest guard patrol.

"Tell Karstaal we've got a special delivery for him. He likes dramatic theater, right? He'll LOVE this weirdo!"

"I am wounded. Really." The Gentleman Thief grinned. "Just one more face for the collection. Maybe you'll see it again sometime."

"Yeah, or maybe you can shove it somewhere real dark and nobody will ever see it ever again," remarked Daske brightly. "Bye now."

With the third assassin taken care of, the party returned to the Vauno headquarters. After the chant, Zardalvohl finally seemed to be winding down. There was no so much commotion the heroes had trouble working their way down the streets. Still, they caught snatches of conversation from bands of reveling passerby. If Zardalvohl was really was mournful as the orcs claimed it once was, then their changes certainly seemed to be taking effect. Most everyone was in a positive mood. More than one group cheered the party as they passed by. For all the assassins they had to deal with, at was at least some relief to have their efforts recognized on such a broad scale for once.

Soon enough they reached the Vauno's headquarters and, after bracing themselves for whatever trap awaited inside, Olmstyr yanked open the door, Tra-Serral swiftly gliding past him through the shadows. Her blade instantly found the neck of the fellow waiting inside...but he merely bowed his head slightly in response.

"Do not move, suuld, or-"

"I will fully submit to any restraints you deem necessary."

He slowly set down his shield and folded his hands behind his back. After a brief moment of surprise, Tra-Serral whipped the wereviper's sword from its sheath, disarming him.

"Wow. I think you might be the worst group of assassins ever."

"Hmm. I can see where you might get that impression." The figure's voice was a low, oily hiss, but no less respectful for it. "But I am no assassin...at least, I do not consider myself as much. My employer might."

"Either way. You're here. Exactly as we were told."

"I was expected? How....hmm. Unexpected. As you can likely guess, my codename is the Red Death. I am probably not who you thought. Perhaps that is for the best. My true name is Soryx Dourskull. I am something of a demon hunter. I am working with this group, the Wandering Silence, because-"

"You think my father is a demon."

Soryx raised an eyebrow.

"Possessed, actually."

"Nazar dirark tan a zard bol, Durmsuuld. Dir nazrath anh wasted on us you scaly piece of vermin waste." Tra-Serral did not move her blade.

"Wow. At least the nicer bit was in Common."

[Waterbrick Down]

"Easy, Tra-serral, let's not go pokin' holes in folks until we get to the bottom of this. I believe ya yerself said that no one was above suspicion. Now why don't ya remove yer blade? I'm sure he can't do any harm without his weapons." Skrall picked up the sword and shield from the ground before turning to the assassin. "The Wanderin' Silence hasn't seemed in the business of being helpful as of late. Ya mind elaboratin' on all this?"

Edited August 6, 2016 by Waterbrick Down

[CMP]

"Easy, Tra-serral, let's not go pokin' holes in folks until we get to the bottom of this. I believe ya yerself said that no one was above suspicion. Now why don't ya remove yer blade? I'm sure he can't do any harm without his weapons." Skrall picked up the sword and shield from the ground before turning to the assassin. "The Wanderin' Silence hasn't seemed in the business of being helpful as of late. Ya mind elaboratin' on all this?"

"This is not suspicion. This is absurd."

"Demonic possession is a very serious matter. Oftentimes the host is not even aware of it. I have regular contacts, and Baltarok was just opened to the rest of the world...one of them indicated to me he found traces of demonic power in Baltarok's leadership. I did my own reconnaissance, and narrowed it down to Tarvalk. Do you know the story of Azzurat? One man, consumed by the power of a Pandemonicon, effectively killed an entire nation. My priority is hunting down the source of the demonic threat."

"And your first thought was to ally with a group of assassins."

"The traces I found suggest a highly mobile form of demon. Any forewarning and it could simply find a new host. And clearly you don't believe me now, is there some reason you would have before? I have worked with Heroica twice before. When I heard you were arriving here in Baltarok to protect the clan leaders, I believed you might be more willing to listen to reason."

"I would listen to reason, if I heard any."

[Waterbrick Down]

"I would listen to reason, if I heard any."

"Ya said yerself at the feast, we couldn't rule yer father out as behind all of this." Skrall turned back to the Wereviper. "And what exactly helped ya "narrow it down" to Tarvalk?"

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen again uses the cloak of espionage to see who they are dealing with.

So. Isolation and containment? Why pick this night of all of them to do this? And how mobile are we talking? How much space do we need to give?

[-obelix-]

"What I am interested in is what proof can you offer of a demon possessing anybody, and what method do you plan on utilizing in driving the demon out of the possessed person whilst not harming the host?"

[Zepher]

"Got to agree with the others. Are we supposed to just take it on your word?"

[CMP]

"Ya said yerself at the feast, we couldn't rule yer father out as behind all of this." Skrall turned back to the Wereviper. "And what exactly helped ya "narrow it down" to Tarvalk?"

"Behind all of this? So you think this 'demon' hired a demon hunter to assassinate himself?"

"A deep understanding of the nature of demons. I know all the signs of possession. I have been investigating this matter for quite some time, so before you ask, yes: I am absolutely certain there is demonic influence at play here."

"What I am interested in is what proof can you offer of a demon possessing anybody, and what method do you plan on utilizing in driving the demon out of the possessed person whilst not harming the host?"

"Assuming you help me reach Tarvalk I will perform a ritual to draw the demon out, and trap it, outside of a host. There is, naturally, a risk, but short of killing him outright, it is the only way to deal with such a demon. If I am somehow wrong, well, then the ritual will do absolutely nothing."

Nerwen again uses the cloak of espionage to see who they are dealing with.

So. Isolation and containment? Why pick this night of all of them to do this? And how mobile are we talking? How much space do we need to give?

"As I said...I am only one man. Performing an exorcism is not something done quite so stealthily. Even if I deigned to simply kill Tarvalk, he is a highly accomplished warrior surrounded by an army of orcs ready to fight at his command. And I am, as I said, no assassin. This is a very...sensitive matter. Which is why I bided my time and have brought the matter forward to you, heroes."

"It should not be able to take a new host at the drop of a hat...and it certainly wouldn't be able to complete the process if I am able to begin the ritual."

Nerwen takes a moment to quietly examine Soryx's abilities, should it come to blows.

Soryx Dourskull, the Red Death *Immune to blinded, stunned, confused, hexed, enamored, petrified, doomed, and instant kill* *ORDERLY*

Level 50 Humanoid Vermin

Health: 2310/2310

Defense: 50

Special I: Hunter Forever - Soryx Favors the hero's race (greenskin, elf, or human), dealing triple damage to that race for the remainder of the battle.

Special II: Internal Conflict - Soryx halves the hero's current health, and switches between Orderly and Chaotic. Three random effects from Inner Light/Darkness are inflicted. Used if a target's race is already marked.

Passive Special I: Inner Light/Inner Darkness - If Orderly, Soryx inflicts the blinded-, weakened-, and confused- effects. If Chaotic, he inflicts the sealed-, fragile-, and hexed- effects.

Passive Special II: Calculating Mind/Wild Mind - If Orderly, Soryx will use a random consumable on himself at the beginning of each round. If Chaotic, he will instead deal an immediate free hit to a random hero.

Passive Special III: Optimism/Pessimism - If Orderly, Soryx has a 1/3 chance to negate the damage of any hits and critical hits inflicted on him. If Chaotic, he has a 1/6 of deflecting the attack to a random hero.

Drops: Soma, Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Elixir, Tiger Balm, ???

"Got to agree with the others. Are we supposed to just take it on your word?"

"The alternative is killing me now. I am unarmed now, and I have no chance against the eight of you - I am a demon hunter, not a murderer. But as I said, in my past dealings with Heroica, it has proven to be a highly intelligent organization with all the right priorities. I know you have no wish to let a demon wreak its havoc, embedded in the highest echelons of orcish leadership." Soryx shrugged. "There is no easy way to prove it short of bringing me to Tarvalk or killing him. I suppose you could also ignore my claims."

"That would be a spectacularly monumental risk to take."

"This is absurd. He has no proof."

"What kinda proof is he supposed to have on hand, demon droppings??"

Tra-Serral turned her icy glare onto Daske, who stared right back. Aazy recoiled and hid behind the back of her head.

"Are you saying you believe him?"

"Well- I mean, what if he's...you know, NOT WRONG? How the heck do you expect to deal with it? Lop off your old man's head?"

"I'd rather nobody lose their head over this, personally." Olmstyr ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "So, Mister Dourskull, we either take you with us and exorcise Tarvalk, or-"

"Or you may kill me. I will fight back to the best of my ability, but quite simply, I would not expect to survive." Soryx bowed his head slightly. Tra-Serral never wore a more disapproving snarl.

"If you side with him-"

"Then we will comply with the heroes' wishes," interrupted Olmstyr sternly.

"It was a mistake to bring them here. How many of these assassins are we going to let walk away."

"That's being generous. At this point I'm expecting our next 'assassin' to be a displaced charity worker. We're not doing anything to Tarvalk until we've confronted him with this."

"Of course. I merely ask that you bring me - shackle me if you must. If the demon successfully escapes, it won't be as easy as simply tracking it down again. Tracking a demon that moves between bodies is not like tracking a man or beast - it took a great deal of time to confirm its presence here. I can prevent it from escaping at least in that capacity."

What course would the heroes take?

[Zepher]

"Well, if the ritual really would have no effect on him if he's clean, don't see what the problem is." Boomingham cocks his head. "Still haven't exactly proved the Hel you think its Tarvalk who's got the demon in him though. Could be anyone. Could be Tra-Serral."

Boomingham chuckles as Olmstyr rebukes Tra-Serral. "Got to agree with you. This one could hardly be called an assassin. Still don't know exactly how the Wandering Silence figures into all this though. They hired... what, a bunch of assassins to kill Gor, make that lady leader, put on a light show for the pipe smoker and then exorcise Tarvalk. Don't know what sort of game they could possibly be playing..."

[-obelix-]

Thalion uses diplomacy: "I agree with master Boomingham, how do you know the demon is in Tarvalk and not in someone else? Also, if your job is just to perform the ritual - why not do it already, before; what is the point in organizing an elaborate scheme of multiple assassination attempts? To hunt a demon? Or maybe you just might want us to escort you past all of Tarvalk's men so you could more easily get in reach of him and just kill him, shackles or no shackles?" He paused for a moment, "I am aware you may or may not have been behind all of this, but I assume you are an assassin, and you definitely are a part of it, so help me understand..."

Edited August 9, 2016 by -obelix-

[Chromeknight]

What is wandering silence's connection to your hunting demons?

Speaking to the others she says,

He's not being modest, together we could kill him easily. And he is not one of the red death assassins I've met before. It seems he just has a common nickname.

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall turned to the monk, "I'm not sayin' he hired anyone. Right now we have word that there was an assassination plot on the clan leaders. This guy's sayin' there was no assassination plot, only a plot to stop a demon. He hasn't answered the question of why we should believe him and I'm not currently convinced by his story. He better say somethin' more substantial soon or we're goin' have other problems."

[CMP]

"Well, if the ritual really would have no effect on him if he's clean, don't see what the problem is." Boomingham cocks his head. "Still haven't exactly proved the Hel you think its Tarvalk who's got the demon in him though. Could be anyone. Could be Tra-Serral."

Thalion uses diplomacy: "I agree with master Boomingham, how do you know the demon is in Tarvalk and not in someone else?"

"As I said....all the signs exist. You simply need to know exactly what to look for. Symptoms of illness indicate his body is weakening; prolonged possession causes irreparable harm to a host's physical and mental state. His mind is shrouded to me. Orcs have a natural mental fortitude but this is something else entirely. What little I can discern suggests deep internal conflict...his mind attempting to fight back as it can."

Boomingham chuckles as Olmstyr rebukes Tra-Serral. "Got to agree with you. This one could hardly be called an assassin. Still don't know exactly how the Wandering Silence figures into all this though. They hired... what, a bunch of assassins to kill Gor, make that lady leader, put on a light show for the pipe smoker and then exorcise Tarvalk. Don't know what sort of game they could possibly be playing..."

What is wandering silence's connection to your hunting demons?

"There is none. It is quite possible I gave them impression I was going to kill Tarvalk in the course of me exorcising him." Soryx shrugged again and a sly edge crept into his voice. "An...unfortunate and costly misunderstanding on their part. They wanted assassins. I had a vested interest in a target of theirs."

"Also, if your job is just to perform the ritual - why not do it already, before; what is the point in organizing an elaborate scheme of multiple assassination attempts? To hunt a demon?"

"I certainly didn't organize all of this. Most of our information is compartmentalized...but that also suggests I am far from the only freelancer that was hired."

"You're not. In fact, none of the assassins we've gone after so far have had any relation to eachother, unless you count the Brothers Blue separate. You aren't the only one with your own agenda, either."

"Then the Wandering Silence is either very sloppy, or their true agenda is not the one they're hiring assassins to advance."

"Or maybe you just might want us to escort you past all of Tarvalk's men so you could more easily get in reach of him and just kill him, shackles or no shackles?" He paused for a moment, "I am aware you may or may not have been behind all of this, but I assume you are an assassin, and you definitely are a part of it, so help me understand..."

"You have my weapon. You are all extremely capable combatants, to put it mildly. And if you're right, and I am lying, then there is nothing to prevent Tarvalk from fighting back as well. If I was an assassin, and truly wanted to kill him, I'd like to think my plan to get close would not start with 'surrender my weapons and confess all my intentions'."

Skrall turned to the monk, "I'm not sayin' he hired anyone. Right now we have word that there was an assassination plot on the clan leaders. This guy's sayin' there was no assassination plot, only a plot to stop a demon. He hasn't answered the question of why we should believe him and I'm not currently convinced by his story. He better say somethin' more substantial soon or we're goin' have other problems."

"My plan is to hunt a demon. The Silence's plan is to assassinate the clan leaders. I suggested those ambitions went hand-in-hand. In reality, they do not; I simply wanted a night where the rest of Baltarok was distracted, the other clan leaders are occupied, and most importantly, where Heroica is present to assist me in eliminating a substantial threat to Baltarok and the rest of the world."

"So you're USING the Wandering Silence?"

"Perhaps. But from the sounds of it, perhaps not, and they're the ones using all of us. Everybody is controlling somebody. In any event, I truly do have no intention to kill Tarvalk - that is a last resort - but the matter of this possession absolutely cannot be ignored."

Tra-Serral's rage was silent, at least for the moment.

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall looked to Olmystr, "I doubt there's anybody in this city who could corroborate our friend's accusations here, is there?"

"We ain't got evidence he's lyin' nor do we have evidence he's tellin' the truth. If we kill him, we run the risk of havin' a demon runnin' rampant on our hands. If we let him live, we give him an openin' at Tarvalk. I ain't too keen on the second option."

[Chromeknight]

Can you perform this ritual with a knife at your throat Master Soryx? I think that may be the only way it might happen.

To the others she says.

We are wasting time. Let's not keep Taravalk waiting.

[-obelix-]

Thalion looks at Soryx, "You have still not provided and evidence or a convincing argument of your claims. Perhaps you are telling the truth, but than again, this could be a very high stakes bluff you are trying to win. Nevertheless..." He turns to Skrall, "Master Skrall you speak truly, but I am not comfortable with a possibility of body-switching demon being on the loose. I am willing to afford him the benefit of the doubt and opportunity to prove his claim at dagger-point..." He turns to Nerwen and says with a firm nod, "Whatever you decide we should do Wise one, you have my backing."

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall shrugged his shoulders, "He ain't done nothin' yet against no law that I'm aware of. He freely gave himself over, a better assassin would have bided his time, waitin' fer the prime opportunity. I say we take him to Tarvalk and see what happens."

[CMP]

Sorry for the delay - I have family over the rest of the weekend, and on top of that I need to rebuild my photo setup after a room rearrangement, so it may be a bit between updates for the next few days.

[CMP]

We are just waiting on Microsoft now, as soon as I get Office installed I can finally edit some damn pictures. Expect a substantial update today.

[CMP]

--

Edited August 16, 2016 by CMP

[CMP]

Skrall looked to Olmystr, "I doubt there's anybody in this city who could corroborate our friend's accusations here, is there?"

"We ain't got evidence he's lyin' nor do we have evidence he's tellin' the truth. If we kill him, we run the risk of havin' a demon runnin' rampant on our hands. If we let him live, we give him an openin' at Tarvalk. I ain't too keen on the second option."

"I...don't know of any demon experts in Baltarok, no. If Soryx's claims are true, I truly don't doubt they would've gone unnoticed for this long."

"If I am wrong, I can see no reason for you to allow me to live. But this a threat that cannot go unanswered."

Can you perform this ritual with a knife at your throat Master Soryx? I think that may be the only way it might happen.

"Of course, but I hope you won't mind me having a weapon when I draw the demon out."

Thalion looks at Soryx, "You have still not provided and evidence or a convincing argument of your claims. Perhaps you are telling the truth, but than again, this could be a very high stakes bluff you are trying to win. Nevertheless..." He turns to Skrall, "Master Skrall you speak truly, but I am not comfortable with a possibility of body-switching demon being on the loose. I am willing to afford him the benefit of the doubt and opportunity to prove his claim at dagger-point..." He turns to Nerwen and says with a firm nod, "Whatever you decide we should do Wise one, you have my backing."

To the others she says.

We are wasting time. Let's not keep Taravalk waiting.

"Thank you. This is not a decision you will regret."

"Better not be!"

Tra-Serral regards everybody with an intensely cold gaze...then merely lowers her eyes to the floor and leads them out of the headquarters, keeping her weapon armed and trained on Soryx. The demon hunter goes along willingly, but it doesn't seem as though she cares about how much resistance he offers.

"I hope you do not take this personally, milady."

"Yes...just remember." Olmstyr nods at Tra-Serral's back as she ignores them. "If he's wrong about your father, you can be the one to have his head."

"If he's wrong."

The Vauno led Soryx and the heroes back through the streets of the city, returning to the district the palace dominated. This time however, they took a few new turns, heading into an elaborate guest building that appeared to be housing the visiting clan leaders.

It didn't take long for the group to get waved past any guards on the way to Tarvalk's room. After a few rough knocks from Tra-Serral, the grizzled orc opened the door.

"Heroes. What brings you here? Need some assassin bait?" Tarvalk coughed roughly...then gazed intently at Soryx, who gazed right back. Olmstyr led the group inside.

"Actually, we-"

The door slammed shut behind the party. In an instant Tra-Serral had her blade on Soryx's throat, and forced the assassin to the balcony window.

"Have I offen-"

"Shut up. Father. They know."

Tarvalk, who had started at his daughter's actions, paused. His demeanor and voice took on a grimness reserved only for those about to die.

"I can kill all of them. Give me the order. It will not leave this room."

"...who's...all of them?"

"Gavn ei grauv girl, don't talk like that about our allies," he snapped. "How much," he stated firmly. "How much do they know?"

"The red one hunts demons. He claims to have a ritual, but I do not trust him. Nobody can know - you know what that would mean, father."

"Tarvalk," barked Olmstyr. His sword was halfway out of its sheath - and his eyes were on Tra-Serral, even those his words were directed at Tarvalk. "What exactly is the meaning of this? Is she - are you two plotting against us?"

There was a brief silence.

"It seems I am quite right...but perhaps this is not quite as simple as I thought."

"Clearly," growled the clan leader. He glanced outside for a moment...then turned towards it fully, gazing at the sprawl of the city of Imaestym below them, at the scattered celebrations still taking place on the streets and in the houses. Tarvalk sighed, and coughed heavily. "I will explain. Fully. Just as soon as I have your word on something."

He turned to look at the heroes again. A deep, intense fire had alighted behind his eyes. His next words were very deliberate.

"You will not breathe a word of this. Not anywhere. Not to anybody. I don't want to hear anything about this come from anywhere else. What I am about to-"

"F-Father-"

"-tell you, is something that will destroy our entire race if it gets out. It will tear us apart and the world will rebel against. And so help me," his voice grows low, but impossibly intimidating. "If that happens, I will lead the shattered remains of my people on an invasion that will make the last one appear as a mere exercise, and we will cut our way into your Kingdoms like a blade cuts flesh, until we all die in a bloody blaze of glory that will make all of the gods of this world weep in horror."

"Am I understood? Do I have your word?"

"Tarvalk, the heroes-"

"You are not excluded from this oath."

Olmstyr stopped dead, and blinked.

"...Right. You...have my word, clan leader."

"Uh, mine too."

"And mine as well, for what it is worth."

"And you, heroes?"

Edited August 16, 2016 by CMP