Heroica RPG - Quest#155: The Grunch Who Stole Grogmas

[Asphalt]

Well this is less than we expected.  Vindsval whispered to his companions.  This is the first time he had been sent into another man's bedroom in search of answers.  He takes a firm grip on his shield but leaves his weapons sheathed.

I think it is time to wake our friend here.  It might be best of the first face he sees is of his own ilk, or as close as we have.  I will knock, perhaps the rest of you should stand to the sides of the door.

 

[-obelix-]

5 minutes ago, Asphalt said:

Well this is less than we expected.  Vindsval whispered to his companions.  This is the first time he had been sent into another man's bedroom in search of answers.  He takes a firm grip on his shield but leaves his weapons sheathed.

I think it is time to wake our friend here.  It might be best of the first face he sees is of his own ilk, or as close as we have.  I will knock, perhaps the rest of you should stand to the sides of the door.

 

Thalion nods, and whispers in response "Go ahead master Vindsval, we've got the rear covered.", keeping an eye out on the sleeping dire wolf.

[Palathadric]

I nod, but keep my ears perked up lest this should be a plot by the two greenskins to destroy the whole party.

[Asphalt]

Vindsval moves forward slightly into the door frame.  He wraps firmly on the stone with the metal knuckles of his artificial arm.

 

[Waterbrick Down]

4 hours ago, Asphalt said:

Vindsval moves forward slightly into the door frame.  He wraps firmly on the stone with the metal knuckles of his artificial arm.

 

The orc wakes with a start reaching for a sword beside the bed. The dire wolf jumps and growls at Vindsval.

"Wha... What's going on here?"


"Grrrrr"

[Asphalt]

Stay your hand Grim Fang, we wish you no ill will if you deserve none. Vindsval slowly raises his empty hands to show he holds no weapon.

The people of the village at the foot of your mountain tasked us with finding he who stole the toys from the children.  The trail lead us to you.

[Waterbrick Down]

3 hours ago, Asphalt said:

Stay your hand Grim Fang, we wish you no ill will if you deserve none. Vindsval slowly raises his empty hands to show he holds no weapon.

The people of the village at the foot of your mountain tasked us with finding he who stole the toys from the children.  The trail lead us to you.

"And you intend to stop me? You've no idea what is going on here."

[Asphalt]

6 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"And you intend to stop me? You've no idea what is going on here."

Our intention is to see that no harm befalls the town and especially its younglings.  If our goals align I would speak with you.  If you intend harm to the children I would see that ill intent removed.  You say that we are ignorant of the situation.  Would you tell me your tale?

[Waterbrick Down]

1 hour ago, Asphalt said:

Our intention is to see that no harm befalls the town and especially its younglings.  If our goals align I would speak with you.  If you intend harm to the children I would see that ill intent removed.  You say that we are ignorant of the situation.  Would you tell me your tale?

"How benevolent of you," The orc sneers as he sits on the bed. "I am Grunch, sole survivor of Clan Grizknog of Baltarok and that is my companion, Mux. I am tracking a monster, a deceiver, a ruiner of all that is good. Four Grogmas's ago, my people were bestowed wonderful gifts as if from the gods, clockwork toys of amazing craftsmanship and ingenuity. We had no idea from whence they came nor did my clan care for they had never seen such wealth. Not two weeks after the toys appearing but the first child disappeared and then another and another. Until all were lost and their mothers and fathers perished looking for them in the wilderness. I alone suspected the coincidence of the event of with the appearing of the toys." The orc sighs, "With the help of Mux, I was able to at last track down the trail of one of the missing children. I arrived at an abandoned logging camp, freshly burnt to the ground the only evidence of occupation, small metal gears and the footprints of chained feet shuffling along through the snow. Mux and I followed the best we could but we never found anyone. One we returned home our village had burned to the ground, no one was left." Mux comes aside Grunch and lays his head on the orcs lap. "Mux and I wandered for the next three years and watched the same thing happen in Duplovia, in Ennon, in Moone always the same result, always moments too late. We came close once, small red cloaked figures with skin as black as coal. And that brings us to now, the village has no reason to trust me and so Mux and I have been trying to discover the hideout of these monsters before it is too late."

[StickFig]

11 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"And that brings us to now, the village has no reason to trust me and so Mux and I have been trying to discover the hideout of these monsters before it is too late."

"Then join forces with us! The village trusts us; we can save the children here together, and then perhaps destroy these ...slavers and their foul trade."

[-obelix-]

Without saying anything, Thalion turns around, exits the cave and starts heading back towards the village.

[Palathadric]

"Perhaps there is something good about these mechanical presents after all." I mutter unintelligibly after hearing of the orcish village destroyed.

All too quickly, though, I realize the implications this would have on the Mopag settlement.

"Grunch," I say with all the diplomacy I can muster. "It seems to me that the angels of Heaven have led you and now us to you. It is good to hear all that you know regarding this issue. At least we know what we're working with...somewhat. We noticed a poisonous quality in some of the toys. Did you manage to clear the Mopag village of all of these toys?"

[Asphalt]

16 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"How benevolent of you," The orc sneers as he sits on the bed. "I am Grunch, sole survivor of Clan Grizknog of Baltarok and that is my companion, Mux. I am tracking a monster, a deceiver, a ruiner of all that is good. Four Grogmas's ago, my people were bestowed wonderful gifts as if from the gods, clockwork toys of amazing craftsmanship and ingenuity. We had no idea from whence they came nor did my clan care for they had never seen such wealth. Not two weeks after the toys appearing but the first child disappeared and then another and another. Until all were lost and their mothers and fathers perished looking for them in the wilderness. I alone suspected the coincidence of the event of with the appearing of the toys." The orc sighs, "With the help of Mux, I was able to at last track down the trail of one of the missing children. I arrived at an abandoned logging camp, freshly burnt to the ground the only evidence of occupation, small metal gears and the footprints of chained feet shuffling along through the snow. Mux and I followed the best we could but we never found anyone. One we returned home our village had burned to the ground, no one was left." Mux comes aside Grunch and lays his head on the orcs lap. "Mux and I wandered for the next three years and watched the same thing happen in Duplovia, in Ennon, in Moone always the same result, always moments too late. We came close once, small red cloaked figures with skin as black as coal. And that brings us to now, the village has no reason to trust me and so Mux and I have been trying to discover the hideout of these monsters before it is too late."

Vindsval's Skin darkens and his eyes flash at the mention of the children and their treatment.

If your words are true than your aims are indeed ours.  If you would tell us what progress you have made towards finding their lair, we would add our strength to yours in avenging your village and protecting the children of  Mopag.

OOC:  Did we loose another player or is he working on a side agenda?

[Waterbrick Down]

20 hours ago, StickFig said:

"Then join forces with us! The village trusts us; we can save the children here together, and then perhaps destroy these ...slavers and their foul trade."

4 hours ago, Palathadric said:

"Grunch," I say with all the diplomacy I can muster. "It seems to me that the angels of Heaven have led you and now us to you. It is good to hear all that you know regarding this issue. At least we know what we're working with...somewhat. We noticed a poisonous quality in some of the toys. Did you manage to clear the Mopag village of all of these toys?"

3 hours ago, Asphalt said:

Vindsval's Skin darkens and his eyes flash at the mention of the children and their treatment.

If your words are true than your aims are indeed ours.  If you would tell us what progress you have made towards finding their lair, we would add our strength to yours in avenging your village and protecting the children of  Mopag.

"I've narrowed the hideout down to several locations, but between collecting more evidence from Mopag and getting the lay of the land, Mux and I haven't had time to investigate all of them. We haven't been able to acquire all the toys yet as sneaking into people's houses is somewhat problematic to begin with."

3 hours ago, Asphalt said:

OOC:  Did we loose another player or is he working on a side agenda?

QM Note: Nope, I can confirm -obelix- is still with us.

[-obelix-]

Paying no attention to the conversation taking place, Thalion starts walking out, "I have to get there! That's is where it is, this is the way. I know it, I just know it!", he says, addressing no one in particular.

[Asphalt]

1 hour ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"I've narrowed the hideout down to several locations, but between collecting more evidence from Mopag and getting the lay of the land, Mux and I haven't had time to investigate all of them. We haven't been able to acquire all the toys yet as sneaking into people's houses is somewhat problematic to begin with."

QM Note: Nope, I can confirm -obelix- is still with us.

OOC:  I am going to guess poison gas cloud.  Glad we aren't out another player though.

Vindsval extends his still living hand to the Orc.

I am Vindsval, Called the Half Born.  First Paladin of the Wanderer, Far Son of Baltarok.  If you wish to aid the village and its children I call you friend.  We have seen the toys in the village.  Will you return with us and tell your tale to the people there?  Perhaps then we can collect them all with no more need for you to hide in the dark?

Edited February 24, 2017 by Asphalt

[Waterbrick Down]

49 minutes ago, -obelix- said:

Paying no attention to the conversation taking place, Thalion starts walking out, "I have to get there! That's is where it is, this is the way. I know it, I just know it!", he says, addressing no one in particular.

Thalion has made it a good 100 yards outside of the cavern so far.

37 minutes ago, Asphalt said:

I am Vindsval, Called the Half Born.  First Paladin of the Wanderer, Far Son of Baltarok.  If you wish to aid the village and its children I call you friend.  We have seen the toys in the village.  Will you return with us and tell your tale to the people there?  Perhaps then we can collect them all with no more need for you to hide in the dark?

"I will return with you, Vindsval the Half Born. However if we start pulling away the toys, we may alert the monsters to our presence too early. We will need to determine the best course of action when we arrive."

Grunch gathers his equipment and rolls a map into his pack.


"If you are prepared or have no other questions, shall we be off?"

[StickFig]

"I believe Master Thalion has already departed," Matthias pipes up from about knee level.

[Palathadric]

As we walk back, I mutter to the gnome,

"Have you worked with the Mopags before this quest?"

[StickFig]

"Nope. Is there something I should know?"

[Palathadric]

"No, just wondering how well they'd take to the orc. They seem to have taken fine to our own." I nod towards Vind.

"But if they already have an ought against the orc, they may not wait for him to speak."

[Asphalt]

2 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

Thalion has made it a good 100 yards outside of the cavern so far.

"I will return with you, Vindsval the Half Born. However if we start pulling away the toys, we may alert the monsters to our presence too early. We will need to determine the best course of action when we arrive."

Grunch gathers his equipment and rolls a map into his pack.

2 hours ago, StickFig said:

"I believe Master Thalion has already departed," Matthias pipes up from about knee level.

"If you are prepared or have no other questions, shall we be off?"

Yes, let us go.  Vindsval looks to the Wolf.  Perhaps your companion should stay outside of the town.  The townsfolk may accept you as a friend once you explain yourself to them, but the sight of you friend might put them on edge before they hear what you have to say.

 

What is it with Heroican's and wandering off on their own?  We should probably collect him before he gets too far.

[-obelix-]

"It is there, it has to be... And I MUST get there!", mutters Thalion to himself as he continues walking.

[Waterbrick Down]

With a flash and a jiffy our heroes departed
Heading back down the mountain at a speed quite wholehearted

When close to the village a shout did arise
Poor councilmen Teddy met them with suprise

"Oh heroes, oh heroes! She's gone, she's gone!"

3 hours ago, -obelix- said:

"It is there, it has to be... And I MUST get there!", mutters Thalion to himself as he continues walking.

Thalion continues walking past the settlement.

[StickFig]

1 hour ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Oh heroes, oh heroes! She's gone, she's gone!"

Thalion continues walking past the settlement.

"The girl with the unicorn?! What about the other children?"