Heroica RPG - Quest #151: Send the Pain Below

[Palathadric]

"Yes, we would be very interested as to whether your adviser might be able to give us some insights as well." I say as diplomatically as possible.

Edited June 2, 2016 by Palathadric

[JimBee]

"Ma'am, we're trying to catch the murderer, and for that we need to see the crime scene for clues. Is there anything we can do for you to let us upstairs?"

"Oh can't you just let her rest in peace? I think she's been through enough lately, I don't think she would appreciate strangers rifling through her stuff. Not to mention all the work she left me..."

"Is there any other way to access her apartment than through the store? Was it closed up at the time of the murder? Who had keys?"

"I suppose someone could have come through the windows... I lock the front door every night, which is when Maggie was killed. Her and I were the only ones to have keys, though it is not out of the question for someone to break in, of course."

"You have an advisor who's not from here? Interesting. I suppose you know all of your own people too well to suspect any of them would try anything like this, right? You all seem like a friendly sort...but then the imps didn't seem too bad either, though they looked a bit fierce..."

"I don't hold anyone above doing this, but this never happened before the imps arrived."

"Yes, such an unfortunate case. But I am glad to hear you allow Heroica to investigate on this matter. Surely you trust us after all those times we've helped you previously, Baron. We will do our best to keep things impartial and unclouded by prejudice. About this advisor of yours, can we meet her? Also, how have things been between your people and the imps since they arrived?"

"I am well aware of Heroica's work and their regard for their own missions. Yes you've done a thing or two for Zylstra but that does not put you above the law here. Just keep that in mind. The Cardinal comes and goes as she pleases, perhaps you will see her. How have things been!? Someone was murdered, how do you think they've been!?"

[Yzalirk]

"Outsiders? Uh, besides you, my advisor. You may see her around. Criminal record? Not since those Sewer Wolves came around. The one who died was Maggie, may she rest in peace. I pray her death is avenged."

"Have the Sewer Wolves been around recently? What can ye tell me about Maggie?"

[dum]

Kid finally found a way to get some kind of answers out of her. What kind of work did she leave you? What did Maggie do for a living?

[MysticModulus]

Ezeran looks at the woman with a stern gaze. "Was there any signs of a forced entry? Did she have many visitors?" The symbiont licks its lips and spits at the wares behind the counter. "Yes, that's right... What kind of goods are you selling here?"

Edited June 3, 2016 by MysticModulus

[BountyBeast]

Hunkan sighs and leans on the counter impatiently. "You do understand that there is a killer on the loose, right? We need all the help we can get to catch them, and if we fail, someone here could be their next target. You don't want anyone else to get killed, do you?"

[JimBee]

"Have the Sewer Wolves been around recently? What can ye tell me about Maggie?"

"No, your organization took care of them a few years ago. Maggie, she was a nice girl. She helped around town with various things but she was a mother first. Her son Wally disappeared some time ago, we have't heard from him."

Just then the door to the office opened again, and a masked figure walked in.

"Art I interrupteth something?"

"Ah! The heroes wanted to meet you. They are here to investigate Maggie's death, like we talked about before. Heroes, meet The Cardinal."

---

Kid finally found a way to get some kind of answers out of her. What kind of work did she leave you? What did Maggie do for a living?

"She helps - um, used to help - in the store. She also had a son to take care of, though he hasn't been around for some time... Gods! He probably doesn't even know!"

Hunkan sighs and leans on the counter impatiently. "You do understand that there is a killer on the loose, right? We need all the help we can get to catch them, and if we fail, someone here could be their next target. You don't want anyone else to get killed, do you?"

"Certainly not! But that doesn't mean I'll let just anyone upstairs. Listen, why don't you take a look at what I have to sell, and buy something? Trying to keep up with the work in the shop alone is hard enough, it'd at least be a little help if I made some gold."

Shelby's Scavenged Specialties:

Diamond - Costs 70 gold. One in stock.

Grand Elixir – Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects. Costs 70 gold. One in stock.

Rubber Band - Returns thrown weapons immediately without having to be retrieved; accessory. Costs 100 gold. One in stock.

Minimizing Dust - Inflicts the minimized-effect, reducing maximum power/level, HP, and ether to 10% of the normal for three rounds. Costs 30 gold. Two in stock.

"Fifty Shades of Bley" - Grants access to the Harlot expert job class. Costs 800 gold. One in stock.

Shovel - Allows the user to dig the ground in search of a treasure. Costs 8 gold. 3 in stock.

Pickaxe - Allows the user to dig through a breakable wall or obstacle. Costs 14 gold. 2 in stock.

Neutralizer - Removes all temporary effects from all allies and all opponents. Costs 32 gold. 3 in stock.

Lovely Perfume - Makes all opponents enamored with the user for 3 rounds when used; consumable. Costs 44 gold. 2 in stock.

Feather of Lithe - Makes the user nimble for three rounds, giving them a 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits. Costs 18 gold. 2 in stock.

[MysticModulus]

Ezeran looks at the diamond. "I am interested in that diamond, can I interest you in a trade perhaps? This exotic headwear and maybe some remedies?" Ezeran shows her Sylvania's Cowl. He then whispers in a mysterious manner. "The Cowl is not of this realm, it grants its wearer the power to speak with animals..." Ezeran tries his best to look charming and mysterious.

Edited June 3, 2016 by MysticModulus

[JimBee]

Ezeran looks at the diamond. "I am interested in that diamond, can I interest you in a trade perhaps? This exotic headwear and maybe some remedies?" Ezeran shows her Sylvania's Cowl. He then whispers in a mysterious manner. "The Cowl is not of this realm, it grants its wearer the power to speak with animals..." Ezeran tries his best to look charming and mysterious.

"Oh, I've seen those before. I can give you 21 gold for the Cowl, and 6 for each Remedy."

[MysticModulus]

The symbiont grins and seems to be having great fun at its hosts expense. Ezeran shrugs and hands Maggie the Cowl in exchange for the gold. "I'll stick to the remedies for now. Say... How do you aquire all these things you sell? One other question: did Maggie seem nervous or upset at the end? Who found her?"

Edited June 3, 2016 by MysticModulus

[Palathadric]

"I am well aware of Heroica's work and their regard for their own missions. Yes you've done a thing or two for Zylstra but that does not put you above the law here. Just keep that in mind. The Cardinal comes and goes as she pleases, perhaps you will see her. How have things been!? Someone was murdered, how do you think they've been!?"

"Oh, dear, I hope none of our heroes offended you before. I know some of our characters are a bit questionable, but I thought they would all behave heroically when it came time for the work."

"No, your organization took care of them a few years ago. Maggie, she was a nice girl. She helped around town with various things but she was a mother first. Her son Wally disappeared some time ago, we have't heard from him."

Just then the door to the office opened again, and a masked figure walked in.

"Art I interrupteth something?"

"Ah! The heroes wanted to meet you. They are here to investigate Maggie's death, like we talked about before. Heroes, meet The Cardinal."

"She had a son who disappeared?!? That's terrible. She must have been so sad! And he doesn't even know of his mom's passing. I hope he is alright.

...You wouldn't think that her grief...?"

I hold out my hand to the cardinal.

"Pleased to meet you."

[dum]

A son? What was his name?

Kid looks at the items in stock, then remembers his grand total of 2 gold.

I think I'll uh, have to pass on that.

[JimBee]

The symbiont grins and seems to be having great fun at its hosts expense. Ezeran shrugs and hands Maggie the Cowl in exchange for the gold. "I'll stick to the remedies for now. Say... How do you aquire all these things you sell? One other question: did Maggie seem nervous or upset at the end? Who found her?"

"Very well." Shelby handed Ezeran the gold. "From people like you, travelers from the surface, otherwise I visit up there myself sometimes. Um, no, I don't think she knew she was getting killed that night, if that's what you're getting at."

A son? What was his name?

Kid looks at the items in stock, then remembers his grand total of 2 gold.

I think I'll uh, have to pass on that.

"Wally. A good kid, good with a wrench. I have no doubt he's doing fine on his own, but he really should have visited his mother once in a while... poor kid." Shelby looked away sadly.

"Now if you're not going to buy anything, I do have work to do..."

"She had a son who disappeared?!? That's terrible. She must have been so sad! And he doesn't even know of his mom's passing. I hope he is alright.

...You wouldn't think that her grief...?"

"Preposterous! Maggie's death caught everyone by surprise, including herself, probably. Wally can take care of himself, and she knew it. It still doesn't hurt to visit your mother every once in a while. I would keep that in mind if I were you, kiddo."

I hold out my hand to the cardinal.

"Pleased to meet you."

The Cardinal accepted Petaldan's hand.

"And thee, dram one. Our 'rganizations has't w'rk'd togeth'r in the past to some grise of success, though I wilt sayeth thou art quite young."

[BountyBeast]

"Well, everything is quite cheap here... I'll take one shovel and one pickaxe."

[MysticModulus]

"I'll buy one of those feathers as well." Ezeran gives her the gold for one feather of Lithe. "By the way, who inspected the body? Has the cause of death been established?"

[Palathadric]

"Preposterous! Maggie's death caught everyone by surprise, including herself, probably. Wally can take care of himself, and she knew it. It still doesn't hurt to visit your mother every once in a while. I would keep that in mind if I were you, kiddo."

The Cardinal accepted Petaldan's hand.

"And thee, dram one. Our 'rganizations has't w'rk'd togeth'r in the past to some grise of success, though I wilt sayeth thou art quite young."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

I turn to the Cardinal.

"Why do you talk funny like that? Do you always talk like that? Also, I don't see any eyes in your face or a mouth either for that matter..."

I'd better not say anything about a nose.

Edited June 4, 2016 by Palathadric

[Yzalirk]

"No, your organization took care of them a few years ago. Maggie, she was a nice girl. She helped around town with various things but she was a mother first. Her son Wally disappeared some time ago, we have't heard from him."

"That rules 'em out. Did Maggie have any enemies in town?"

Goliath turns to The Cardinal.

"Don't suppose ye have any important information on Maggie?

[dum]

​Kid begins to get frustrated. He leans in to whisper to his comrades:

We can't get anywhere with this case unless we can see the body in the place that it happened. We have no suspects, no motive, so unless we can find out exactly how she was killed, we have nothing. Any ideas?

[BountyBeast]

Hunkan whispers back. "Well, if she doesn't want to let anyone in, I guess we need get in there by force. She didn't say the window's locked, so maybe one of us could climb in through that."

[MysticModulus]

Hunkan whispers back. "Well, if she doesn't want to let anyone in, I guess we need get in there by force. She didn't say the window's locked, so maybe one of us could climb in through that."

Ezeran nods and looks at Hunkan and Kid measuring the with his gaze. "Maybe one of you could do it? Im a bit... Well not stealhy to say the least. I can try to create a diversion."

[Sandy]

"And thee, dram one. Our 'rganizations has't w'rk'd togeth'r in the past to some grise of success, though I wilt sayeth thou art quite young."

Ellaria was a little cautious of the odd woman, but greeted her politely nevertheless.

"I am Ellaria Arbour, leader of this investigative team. Pleased to meet you too, ma'am. You say you have collaborated with Heroica before? What organization do you represent, then?"

[JimBee]

QM Note: Changed the price for the Lovely Perfume - misread the original description.

"Well, everything is quite cheap here... I'll take one shovel and one pickaxe."

"I'll buy one of those feathers as well." Ezeran gives her the gold for one feather of Lithe. "By the way, who inspected the body? Has the cause of death been established?"

Shelby looked at the gold appreciatively, but soon grew suspicious of the whispering among the heroes.

"Hey, before you do anything stupid... I'll let you upstairs, for just a few minutes. Don't touch anything and look only at what you need to."

Party A:

Kid Reddson (dum)

19-year-old Male Human (1/4 Leprechaun) Ranger

Level 5 *Aims become Hits*

Power Bonus: 0

Health: 10/10

Gold: 2

Equipment: Crossbow (WP 3), Quiver of Homing Arrows (Rolls of AIM become HIT; can only be used with a bow or a crossbow; backwear.)

Inventory: 3 Smoke Bomb, 2 Potion, Phoenix Essence, Venom, Fire Bomb, Sterile Gloves (Grants Immunity to Poisoned and Bleeding effects, Handwear), Bedroll

Ezeran Yavarr (MysticModulus)

42 year old male human Mage

Level 14 *Immune to wood and fire* *Absorbs Darkness* *Enemies that hits Ezeran become slowed*

Power Bonus: 0 (+2 spellpower)

Defense: 3

Health: 18/18

Ether: 18/18

Gold: 3

Equipment: Ancient Sapphamber Staff (WP:8, doubled against Ancient enemies, Wind-elemental; staff), Sneezing Demon (SP:2; enemies that hit the wearer becomeslowed; immunity to wood and fire; suitable to Ezeran only; bodywear.), Hood of the Elementalist (SP:1, *Absorbs darkness*; headwear, suitable to anyone),

Inventory: Emerald (Wood), Ruby (Fire), Remedy X3, Bedroll, Smoke Bomb, Pick Axe, Trickster’s Baubel (WP:6, each hit causes one random effect: stunned, poisoned by 1, asleep, blinded, sealed or confused; wand), Grand tonics X2, Potions X5, Nostrum X2, Feather of Lithe (grants Nimble-effect for 3 rounds)

Hunkan Silvertoss (BountyBeast)

53 year old male dwarf Rogue *Immune to Blinded*

Level 7

Power Bonus: 0

Health: 13/13

Gold: 166

Equipment: Ebony Scorpion Dagger (WP: 5, deals Poisoned-by-3), Goggles (Provides immunity to Blinded effect, Headwear)

Inventory: Potion, Phoenix Essence, Nostrum, Remedy, Fire Bomb, Wooden Sword (WP:7; Suitable to Anyone), Shovel, Pickax

"Oh, I'm sorry."

I turn to the Cardinal.

"Why do you talk funny like that? Do you always talk like that? Also, I don't see any eyes in your face or a mouth either for that matter..."

I'd better not say anything about a nose.

"Thou sure has't many questions. Suffice to sayeth such things art tradition. This is a mask."

"That rules 'em out. Did Maggie have any enemies in town?"

"None that I can think of. She was quite liked by most."

Goliath turns to The Cardinal.

"Don't suppose ye have any important information on Maggie?

"Such a shame about the girl, but alas I doth not."

Ellaria was a little cautious of the odd woman, but greeted her politely nevertheless.

"I am Ellaria Arbour, leader of this investigative team. Pleased to meet you too, ma'am. You say you have collaborated with Heroica before? What organization do you represent, then?"

"The Crimson Crown, of course. I representeth a group of people did dedicate to the removal of magicks and oth'r such things in the w'rld. Given recent ailments in this city I has't off'r'd mine own counseleth and s'rvices to the Baron and his folk."

[BountyBeast]

Maggie looked at the gold appreciatively, but soon grew suspicious of the whispering among the heroes.

"Hey, before you do anything stupid... I'll let you upstairs, for just a few minutes. Don't touch anything and look only at what you need to."

"Fair enough. Come on." Hunkan straps his newly bought tools to his back and makes his way upstairs.

Wait, so is Maggie the shopkeeper or the murder victim?

[JimBee]

"Fair enough. Come on." Hunkan straps his newly bought tools to his back and makes his way upstairs.

Wait, so is Maggie the shopkeeper or the murder victim?

QM Note: Oops, that was supposed to say Shelby. Maggie is the victim.

[MysticModulus]

Ezeran is careful to go last to be able to look for suspicous things while heading upstairs.