Heroica RPG - Heroica Hall

[Zepher]

"You're looking well. How's Barty? Flown off in disgust at more of your antics? I swear you behave so badly sometimes just to get a rise out of him, poor little guy."

"Haha! Looks like we'll be fighting side by side again, Larry. I was worried I wouldn't have time to tell you about Dastan and hear all about your adventures, but if I remember correctly Strivvi's a loooong boat-ride away, so we'll have aaaaages to catch up on the way. I'm so glad you're coming along too."

"Oh... well, Barty's on a bit of a vacation... or so he'd have me believe. I think he's just trying to get my goat. Everyone I've spoken to pretty much agrees you can't actually kill an angel with a sword..." Boomingham mutters under his breath. He looks flustered, but he pulls himself back together and smiles wanly. "No doubt he'll pop up at the worst time. The little fellow sure likes punishing people. Odd for an Angel."

"I've not been up to much while you've been gone. Put down one of your... insaner fellow magic users. Made friends with Nur and Haldor and Docken, all solid fellows, sad they won't be with us. I got to see Jess again. Traveled around Eubric. The likes. Gained a nice ol' grudge for the Wolfgang. I hope we get to behead a few."

"Mate, I've had a lotta drinks over the years, but I don't know how the hell this...fruit punch can pass for booze. Spiced rum's the most flavor I'm willin' to get outta a drink...well, in any case, it's good to see you're friendly with Boomin'ham, it means he's either hardy enough to handle a serious Quest or outta his damn mind. Party leaders are generally onna the two."

"Or both," boasts Boomingham proudly.

[CMP]

"Gained a nice ol' grudge for the Wolfgang. I hope we get to behead a few."

"Or both," boasts Boomingham proudly.

Atramor couldn't help but cackle into his bottle as Boomingham made his point about wanting to behead Wolfgang.

"If it's anythin' like last time, ya'll be very satisfied, mate. Ah, this'll be a good time. Gonna have to make sure the weather's decent on the boat trip, though... Last time I was on one didn't end well. But, eh, that's a story for another time. I see ya've been on a lotta Quests since that warehouse too. That's good, I think we'll need all the experience we can get. They really wanted that keystone, can't imagine what's inside..."

He grinned, picturing endless riches swarming with EXP enemies.

[TheBoyWonder]

I for one would side against the town watch. They are more corrupt than Heroica.

[Flipz]

Nyx laughs as she finishes, and giggles more as an unknown Mage spills Boomingham's drink and quickly (and wisely in her opinion) replaces it with another. He introduces himself, as the bar gets busier and busier with more and more heroes returning from Dastan.

"Nice to meet you Arthur, I… have a sense of you; it's probably a remnant of Vipera communicating our thoughts in that last battle, like you said, and yeah I was one of the first, but I really wasn't great at all back then. I think word got out about Heroica, and soon there were all kinds of heroes beating a path to its door, so the six of us that were here before really weren't here all that long. I remember Atramor there being the first to turn up afterwards, and I really thought Heroica might be in trouble if everyone turned up with a farmyard animal, but no-one turned up with a goat, so it's all ok. Says a lot for advertising, really."

As she mentions Atramor, she sees him trying a Flaming Gumball, and spitting the drink back into the glass with the most disgusted expression on his face. She grins as she talks about him to Arthur, and once she finishes calls out to Atramor.

"Still, you've had adventures beyond any of us, and for that you deserve our respect. Um, I don't wish to unduly take up your time, but...perhaps you could spare a few moments to tell me the tale of Quest 0?" Arthur looks at the Battle Mage hopefully, with the glint in his eyes of an enthused scholar.

IC: De'kra paused for a time, listen in though. Finally he clicked, "Why you think someone would want to control chaos, or affect it? Ignore paradox of randomness under control of course."

"Change is the one universal fear, reaching across all lands, across all races. It's only natural that people would want to control it. We Heroes attmept to control Chaos each time we step outside this Hall, as we try to alter peoples' destinies."

"I have no idea, Arthur, she said he had information about how to contain a divinity, but I doubt that means he'd be alive for long."

Atramor turns to Nyx, and shakes his head in disgust.

"Mate, I've had a lotta drinks over the years, but I don't know how the hell this...fruit punch can pass for booze. Spiced rum's the most flavor I'm willin' to get outta a drink...well, in any case, it's good to see you're friendly with Boomin'ham, it means he's either hardy enough to handle a serious Quest or outta his damn mind. Party leaders are generally onna the two."

"I see." Arthur thinks for a moment about the possible ramifications. He hopes that one of the other Quest 30 Heroes might fill in the extra details, or that his new Quest might let him speak with Vipera or one of the other Wren Hunters who was present after the final battle.

Hearing Atramor's comment about Party Leaders, Arthur interjected, "Well, Althior was both." Arthur laughs, somewhat evilly.

[Pandora]

"Everyone I've spoken to pretty much agrees you can't actually kill an angel with a sword..."

Nyx's broad grin and happy demeanour change as soon as Boomingham utters these words.

"You tried to kill him?? Are you absolutely insane??? What the hell were you playing at you senile old fool?? I hope to damnation that for your sake you haven't killed him... I cannot believe... you, you.. IDIOT!!"

Nyx breathes deeply, as if trying to calm herself, or prevent herself from doing something.

"You have to get him back. I don't care what it takes. You have to get him back."

"it's good to see you're friendly with Boomin'ham, it means he's either hardy enough to handle a serious Quest or outta his damn mind. Party leaders are generally onna the two."

"Or both," boasts Boomingham proudly.

Nyx's barely-contained fury unintentionally makes her reaction to Atramor harsher than she would have liked, but there's nothing she can do to stop it; she's fighting too hard with herself.

"Indeed Atramor, you might remember I was Party Leader last time we helped the Town Watch. Are you trying to say something?"

[CMP]

Hearing Atramor's comment about Party Leaders, Arthur interjected, "Well, Althior was both." Arthur laughs, somewhat evilly.

"Nah, he's perfectly in his right mind and can handle himself, for the most part. He's just a megablock."

"Indeed Atramor, you might remember I was Party Leader last time we helped the Town Watch. Are you trying to say something?"

"Aye, you've handled the tough Quests easily. I pretty much crippled us during our battle with Lyons and you still beat the shit outta him. And calm the hell down, damn..," he grumbled.

Edited August 18, 2012 by CallMePie

[Tanma]

IC: De'kra shook his head and clicked, "You can not change destiny, if you can it was not meant to happen. No one really know their destiny, few that know pieces of it are rare. And those few not know all details. No, destiny immobile. But you not really answer question. I understand change can be fearsome, but then why people drive change? Why rebel against order, if they are scare of chaos? And if humans are chaotic like you say, would they not embrace change? Or you agree that spirits both chaotic and order? And why then heroes try to control chaos as you say? I know I not do it to be fear, but I am...different."

OOC: I am loving this.

[Scorpiox]

Haldor sat leant back in a chair, as the names for the Quest 38 party were chosen. He let out a sigh of relief, as he was told that he would be returning back to Haddon, where it all happened, and that he would be leading the sterling band of heroes to boot. There was Cronk, the iron-hard Orc who's enthusiasm was addictive, and Tesni, who needed no explanation at all. Alexis would be coming too, but Haldor found himself feeling slightly cold to her after she had turned out Althior, but maybe he could sort something out while they were there. And Arthur, the energetic young man, who seemed to be prepared and well-versed in the ways of the witch and her goals. He would be one to watch. The Nord, as he relaxed himself and excersised his mind, knew that it would be one heck of a journey.

Chaos. EUBRIC IS chaos.

The Shaman turned as that peculiar man tried to give his opinion, Haldor couldn't restrain a smirk. "Thanks, genius. I'm sure that they'll be writing tomes about your famous quotations in the future."

Edited August 18, 2012 by Scorpiox

[Rumble Strike]

Tarn spoketo Arthur, the young Barbarian's voice hoarse with unbidden emotion. "Wren wanted Ella as a host body for when she raises a God. Ella was chosen because she has visions, is connected to the spiritual world. You and Cronk and William stopped her being taken in that final battle, which has scuppered her plans for now. Hopefully one of you can put an end to her once and for all."

Edited August 18, 2012 by Rumble Strike

[TheBoyWonder]

Haldor sat leant back in a chair, as the names for the Quest 38 party were chosen. He let out a sigh of relief, as he was told that he would be returning back to Haddon, where it all happened, and that he would be leading the sterling band of heroes to boot. There was Cronk, the iron-hard Orc who's enthusiasm was addictive, and Tesni, who needed no explanation at all. Alexis would be coming too, but Haldor found himself feeling slightly cold to her after she had turned out Althior, but maybe he could sort something out while they were there. And Arthur, the energetic young man, who seemed to be prepared and well-versed in the ways of the witch and her goals. He would be one to watch. The Nord, as he relaxed himself and excersised his mind, knew that it would be one heck of a journey.

The Shaman turned as that peculiar man tried to give his opinion, Haldor couldn't restrain a smirk. "Thanks, genius. I'm sure that they'll be writing tomes about your famous quotations in the future."

Don't be sarcastic Shaman. Sorrow knows not to get me angry. But at least it's handy in interrogations.

[Scorpiox]

Don't be sarcastic Shaman. Sorrow knows not to get me angry. But at least it's handy in interrogations.

Haldor looked around again to laugh. "Do I smell a little threat there? Don't you worry, I'm just getting myself prepared for a trip to a formerly dark place, so you can continue your heightened debating as though someone is actually listening. Ha."

[Tanma]

Tarn spoketo Arthur, the young Barbarian's voice hoarse with unbidden emotion. "Wren wanted Ella as a host body for when she raises a God. Ella was chosen because she has visions, is connected to the spiritual world. You and Cronk and William stopped her being taken in that final battle, which has scuppered her plans for now. Hopefully one of you can put an end to her once and for all."

IC: De'kra clicked, "I not too surprise. It seem like Wren to use people like tools, just like Piraka she is. Hopefully Dastan will be able to protect Ella without heroes' aid, now that war is over. She seem like nice person, though I not see her long. Lewa...you one of heroes who saw Wren last right? Can you recall what she said? Might give heroes in Quest 38 something to prepare for, it she let something slip. And Ella out of her current grasp she might make a move on another psionic user, possibly one in Haddon. "

[Waterbrick Down]

Haldor ran his fingers through his red hair. "It's as though she just treats the whole thing as a jest. The war didn't concern her, but there she turned up, using the oppertunity to raise as much hell as possible. But the unusual thing is, why didn't she want the beast to live, if it would roar around trampling through order as it went? If anything, she could use it, let she took you and the others to bring it down. If all she wants is chaos and death, why not ride the wake of the beast as it brought about plenty of that? What if she has other motives, if not just the causing of chaos, for being in Dastan?" The Nord's face was a picture of indifference, but it was clear that he spoke with urgency. "As much as you did the right thing, I have to wonder why she did what she did. If she had decided to let it be, it would have ripped the kingdom in half before anyone could so much as think. Unless total anarchy was not what she had wanted. Unless she wants more. I don't know, Skrall, I don't know a bloody thing. But that is why I have to go back to Haddon, I have to get things straight. Back there, she wanted the rebellion to give a knew, darker lawless, light upon the town. She nearly made us do it, but in Dastan it sounds as though she tried to make sure that it was her who made the rules." Haldor placed his mug firmly down upon the table. He fervently touched a lucky charm, bearing the emblem of Thoric, before sighing again. "You're not old, Skrall, just tired, we're all tired of this. But there ain't nothing more refreshing than knowing that you've done some good. See if you don't feel better after taking some light work, maybe you need a break from the apocalyptic battles and intricate plots for a while." The Norseman laughed for a few moments before picking up his mug again, and lifting it up. "A man couldn't have a better friend, Skrall, my old mate. Take a rest, recline yourself, have a drink. Raise your glass, to the both of us. And Nur, wherever the hell he is."

"...Oh, and where you planning on doing anything with that plaything of yours? The last one I saw nearly caused Tesni to gut Hoke, so they must be good."

The Ogre listened to his friend, "Nay, she felt the Chimera was an actual threat to her and her 'god' and wanted us to stop it fer her. An' I'll have ya know 80 years is a bit old even fer a human not to mention a greenskin, but I'll raise a toast with ya." Skrall lifted his tankard and cheerily drained his draft. "Now then I've got a wee bit of business to attend to in the market place before some of these next quests get goin'. As fer the plaything, I think I'll hold on to it fer a bit longer. Sooner or later it will find a master, but I'll be doin' my best to make sure it don't come to blows this time round like last 'tween Tensi and Hoke. Fare thee well Haldor, should yer path lead ya back to Haddon always keep yer wits about ya and remember that witch Wren will give just about anythin' fer a good deal."

Skrall left the hall for a good 2 hours before returning with his purchases from the market place. Reading through the quest board he noticed the Party had been selected for traveling south to Strivvni. Atramor he had just been with in Dastan and had a sharp mind, Nyx had been able to hold her own and seemed to enjoy the grimmer parts of combat, he was not very familiar with either Elliara or Rufindel but figured the more the merrier on this trip. Skrall intrest piqued as he noted Boomingham as Party leader, the Paladin had made a name for himself as boisterous, rude, a racist, and a windbag to boot, and could often be seen frequenting the bar for drinks or the ladies for company. "Well 'twas bound to happen at some point," he muttered.

Skrall gathered his equipment and trudged up the stairs. Finding that most of his Party had assembled, he lit his pipe and joined the group. "So 'twould seem we're all about set to pay the Town watch another visit. Atramor, Nyx." Skrall nodded to the witch and battle mage respectively, "I take it ya've all had some run-in's of yer own with 'em as of late?"

[Flipz]

Tarn spoketo Arthur, the young Barbarian's voice hoarse with unbidden emotion. "Wren wanted Ella as a host body for when she raises a God. Ella was chosen because she has visions, is connected to the spiritual world. You and Cronk and William stopped her being taken in that final battle, which has scuppered her plans for now. Hopefully one of you can put an end to her once and for all."

Arthur nodded, his face pale. "The Ritual. Fear not, Cronk and I will try our damndest to sour it." Arthur took note of Tarn's notable exclusion. "Though you might recall that Atramor helped, too. His Deadly Poison went a long way towards taking the Beasts down." He pauses, then continues in a gentler tone. "I still do not fully understand the hatred so many of you hold toward our resident Witch, but I will say this: he does what he must, because he can. He follow his instincts, and deals with the consequences later. Not unlike other Heroes this Hall has known."

OOC: I.E. "not unlike Felton," except Arthur couldn't know to say that.

Arthur looked to Skrall once more, entering the hall with more gear from the Marketplace. He knew he would not have long to speak to his former Party Leader, so he decided to make the most of what time he had.

"Skrall," he said, approaching the great ogre, "I need your assistance once more. We are going after Wren once more, and I am sure we shall encounter Sir Poletad once again. Do you think you could teach me a few basic words in the Language of the Frogs?"

[Rumble Strike]

"Atramor is a braver soul than many give him credit for, and a good friend."

I don't know why I missed him off the list. Probably cos you 3 did all the work and he came along late and took all the credit

[Waterbrick Down]

"Skrall," he said, approaching the great ogre, "I need your assistance once more. We are going after Wren once more, and I am sure we shall encounter Sir Poletad once again. Do you think you could teach me a few basic words in the Language of the Frogs?"

Skrall took a draw on his pipe, "I'm afraid my own frog is a bit rusty, due to lack of practice. There's only so much ya can stick in an old Ogre's head at a time. Sir Poletad could barely understand me last time we met. But I can give ya some of the basics." Skrall spent a few minutes instructing the young mage on the customary greetings and some of the more necessary phrases for combat and diplomacy as well as a few choice insults he had picked up from his Ranger days. "Do what ya can with 'em. Take care Master Regulus especially when it comes to that witch Wren. Look fer guidance from Haldor the Nord, he's had his fair share of dealin's with her and I trust him the most when it comes to such things as her madness."

[CMP]

"So 'twould seem we're all about set to pay the Town watch another visit. Atramor, Nyx." Skrall nodded to the witch and battle mage respectively, "I take it ya've all had some run-in's of yer own with 'em as of late?"

"Aye, you dunno the half of it...Rufindel was there to, but, eh...he's not the most talkative kinda guy. As was Cronk, but he seems to be headin' for another run-in with Wren." He takes another deep sip of rum. "Patricia don't take crap from anybody, and her head's harder than any cobblestone, but at least she has her damn stubbornness set on cleanin' Eubric of the scum linin' its belly. Guards were disappearin', the only clue we could find was this keystone."

He makes a circle with his thumb and middle finger.

"'Bout this big, made of emerald and with some markins' on it. We were told it's from Strivvi, a slavin' island, and that apparently each one is completely unique to the vault it's designed to open. The Wolfgang were more than interested in it, we (well, Cronk) took out a lieutenant, they attacked the guardhouse, Quest over. And now apparently they have follow-ups in both the missing guards and the keystone case."

[Tanma]

IC: De'kra clicked darkly, "I once knew "hero" who fought against evil, who defend great city from criminals and warlords. But as she fought on, she began to take more dangerous methods to fight them. She start to think that villains should be stop at any cost. And then she start to wonder, maybe best solution is hunt down and kill all evil. To prepare she took artifact, an item that let her absorb power of other individuals, and add it to her own. As criminals came to take it, she murder villagers, and blame criminals. That way her heroes would take out hunters, which she absorb her comrade's power."

"One hero found out though," he clicked, "and he realize she had fallen. He try to stop her, but another "hero" decide her way was better. Two of them kill good hero, and proceed to recruit more heroes. Soon she began her crusade, ravage entire civilizations. Gradually she decide active evil not enough, she had to purge anything that could threaten her order. Peaceful inventors were slaughter for have potential to make weapons, defenders were hunt down and slain. Soon she control military dictatorship, worse than criminals and warlords she once fought."

Edited August 18, 2012 by Tanma

[Flipz]

Skrall took a draw on his pipe, "I'm afraid my own frog is a bit rusty, due to lack of practice. There's only so much ya can stick in an old Ogre's head at a time. Sir Poletad could barely understand me last time we met. But I can give ya some of the basics." Skrall spent a few minutes instructing the young mage on the customary greetings and some of the more necessary phrases for combat and diplomacy as well as a few choice insults he had picked up from his Ranger days. "Do what ya can with 'em. Take care Master Regulus especially when it comes to that witch Wren. Look fer guidance from Haldor the Nord, he's had his fair share of dealin's with her and I trust him the most when it comes to such things as her madness."

Arthur nodded. "I will." I was born of Chaos...don't think anyone can be more prepared than that... Nonetheless, Arthur decided he would give the Nord a fair shot, in spite of the air of distrust that seemed to hang between him and De'kra...and the look of suspicion that had been aimed toward him. Perhaps it is merely his way, he reminded himself.

Then Arthur felt it again. Stronger this time. The dark orb...Zoot's Plaything...it was calling again. Stronger. Arthur felt himself compelled to take a step closer, but he checked his advance before he culd take another. The fingers on his right hand twitched, though, and he wondered why this particular orb called so strongly. Perhaps because I had a part in prising it from the Chaos Beast from whence it came? Arthur did not know, and he used the uncertainty to drown out the artifact's pull.

***

The bearded figure drew back sharply. Too close. Too many of us, within too short a range. The man wondered if she was here...but no, that was impossible. Her child...their child...was barely old enough to travel. Surely she wouldn't come here...right? Uncertain, and unwilling to risk Regulus divining his presence, the man withdrew to the shadows once more, satisfied, at least, that the sorcerer was already heading down his destined path...

***

The Plaything's cry diminished as Arthur forced his attention away from it, and it was then that he realized the twofold cause of its distress. "It knows...it knows I go to a mission of Chaos. And..." Arthur glanced warily over his shoulder, but the shaman did not appear to have noticed anything amiss. And it knows my leader. It warned me to be wary. Looking into Skrall's eyes, Arthur debated fiercely with himself. Should I request it? Zoot knows it would be useful. And it wants me, too... "And yet," he murmured almost silently, unaware that Skrall could still hear him, "And yet I've no right to ask..."

[Tanma]

IC: De'kra noted Arthur's attention shift toward's that artifact of Skrall. The echo tensed up briefly, before shifting to a warm yellow. "Are you okay?" he clicked, "You seem distract. It something I say or enact?" He stared at Arthur carefully, not sure of what to do.

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall noted Arthur's mutterings toward him, "Ya mutterin' about that female mage yer were talkin' about ealier Master Regulus? Have ya not caught up with her since? Take it from me, ya never feel right askin' about them, how they're doin' and such. Just clear yer head, set yerself to the task, I'm sure yer Master could give ya a few pointers as well or so I've heard."

[Flipz]

OOC: For clarity, the section in between the *** groups was a different character, the bearded guy who looks a little like Boris. I'll edit in his pic so there's less confusion.

Arthur grimaces. "No, Caroline...it...put it this way, this was a bit more than a mere break-up." Arthur thought back, to simpler times...

OOC: You caught me off-guard, I still haven't finalized Caroline's "adult" minifig, so I have to go photograph a different scene now.

[Tanma]

IC: De'kra winced, before he clicked, "If you have chance before you leave to go to Haddon, there are things you might want to know. Things...about I worldthat might affect your quest. If you want to know, seek I out before then."

The echo wandered over to where Nerwen sat and clicked, "Greetings, sorry about that. There lot to catch up on, and heroes and new gear."

[Capt.JohnPaul]

Alexandre strides into the hall, in his new armor, his red cape flowing and a glow behind him.

"Cut it out, that's too cliche."

"Right, sorry."

Alexandre casually walks into the hall and orders a drink of water after his training and sits in a quiet corner.

[CorneliusMurdock]

Rufindel, Nyx, and Atramor, Cronk is sad to not go questing with such friends again. Cronk hopes friends will stay safe and bash much evil.

Rufindel, Cronk will not be using cloak. Does Rufindel want cloak: Cloak of Chimera (Backwear, Suitable for Mage and Clerics, +2 Health, +2 Ether)? Cronk will leave it with Rufindel for now. Cronk has some shopping to do before going on Cronk's own quest.

Good luck, friends.