Heroica RPG - Heroica Hall

[Scubacarrot]

A tired Guts walks through the doors of the hall. He wasn't as used to skipping nights as he once was. After leaving the Guildhouse, he had gone to his ship, and make sure nothing was wrong, the Raider was half tempted to stay and sleep a while, but it was morning, so he thought better of it. After doing some work on the ship's rigging, and a short walk along Eubric's docks, he had developed a thirst. Now he was back in the hall. Without even scanning for familiar people or checking the Questing Board, the raider walked right up to the bar, and grabbed the bottle of wine Scheherazade held out for him.

Edited May 8, 2013 by Scubacarrot

[JimBee]

'No. I simply keep myself well-informed of the going-ons in the world. The library here is quite underused, in my opinion. In any case, the rod is not for me. I need its influence...but again, for another. I do not double-cross. I see gain for both of us, and I wish to act on it. You want to speak to the dreadlocked rogue that should be arriving shortly.'

The chicken ruffled its feathers, then returned to its perch in the rafters above the saloon.

'It would be ill-advised to mention me, else your chance at such a weapon may be wasted.'

"I see..." A dreadlocked rogue? Hybros looked around, and soon saw three heroes enter the hall. Guts, who he would have to talk to later, Ellaria, that human with the child and... Atramor! Hybros quickly joined him where he sat. So that's where he recognized the chicken from. "Hello Atramor. You remember me, do you not? It has been a while since we raided the Shadeaux warehouse together, eheh..."

[CMP]

Atramor looked up at the short, dark-looking figure. His first thought was of De'kra, the odd little spectre looking....thing, from Dastan. But upon mentioning the Shadeaux warehouse raid, he was finally able to place the name.

"Hybros, aye? It's been quite a while, ain't it? One day we're fightin' over who gets a flimsy rapier, next we're poppin' bastards' heads off left and right. Let me guess-" the witch paused only briefly, taking in Hybros' bandana, giant scythe, and black cloak. "-assassin?"

[Scubacarrot]

Guts, bottle in hand, walked up to Ellaria. The raider managed to produce a wry smile.

"Hello again, girl. I believe you still have something of mine."

[JimBee]

Atramor looked up at the short, dark-looking figure. His first thought was of De'kra, the odd little spectre looking....thing, from Dastan. But upon mentioning the Shadeaux warehouse raid, he was finally able to place the name.

"Hybros, aye? It's been quite a while, ain't it? One day we're fightin' over who gets a flimsy rapier, next we're poppin' bastards' heads off left and right. Let me guess-" the witch paused only briefly, taking in Hybros' bandana, giant scythe, and black cloak. "-assassin?"

"Correct, hehe. I have actually heard that you may have something of use to me in my line of work. And this rod that I have, I can not use it, but I suppose you can... Sorcerer? No, witch." Hybros noted a slight hue of orange in Atramor's eyes. "So tell me, what have you been up to since our first quest? Besides growing that impressive mane of yours, hehe."

[CMP]

Atramor chuckled.

"Always been like this, just lost the hat....should get another one at some point. Well, just got off my second Quest helpin' out the Guild of Invision, they're always gettin' themselves mixed up in some mess or another. Also paid a visit to Strivvi and Dastan, and was part of a group that took down Wren, a....crazed heretic, to put it bluntly. What about you, and what's this about a rod? I dunno what ya' could want outta me, I always thought assassins were the bow 'n' arrow types, but...here, let's see..-" finished Atramor, pulling Conspirator from its sheath and setting it on the table. "-I'd rather keep this...-" he tugged Ratsbane out of his boot, setting it beside the cutlass. "-kinda need the gems outta this one...-" he dug around in his cloak some more, pulling out the Heavy Flail. "-doubt ya' can even use this....oh, hang on, what's this?" The witch finally completed his inventory of weapons by sliding the Sword of Ancestral Hatred out of his cloak, holding it up to the light. Among all his other arms, he'd almost forgotten about it. "This looks about your size. Seems to get sharper every kill I make....somethin' I suppose assassins are well-versed in. I haven't gotten much use out of it, but perhaps you could?"

[JimBee]

"I see. The Guild, I have not had any experience with them, but I suppose alchemy is as good of a trade as any. Ah, you were with the party that took down Wren, hm? You see, I have had my own run-ins with her and Zoot." He brandished Zoot's Reaper. "Pure chaos, I am told... although I am not quite sure what it means, eheh. I am afraid this scythe will not be of use to you, however, I have another artifact from a separate quest involving Zoot. One of its brethren, Mephistopheles, lived under the city of Eubric. It even ate Namyrra, a mage from Heroica. But she was saved, and in our last quest together she mastered the power that once consumed her, held inside this rod. I believe it strengthens your vitality and will somehow, or at least, that is what effect it had on Namyrra, eheh. I am willing to trade this rod for that sword of yours.... ah yes, that one." Hybros eyed the Sword of Ancestral Hatred as Atramor unsheathed it. It was magnificent, and a dark aura shone from it when tilted in the light. "I do believe I could use it, if the blood of my enemies sharpens it, as you say, hehe. But be warned, the power in this rod... it is unlike any other I have known. I do not know its full potential, but I do know that it could be dangerous if it fell into the wrong hands..." Hybros looked on gravely. "...but of course if Namyrra could wield its power, so can you." He offered the Pheles Rod to Atramor.

[CMP]

Atramor eyed Zoot's Reaper. "I see....probably for the best ya' weren't there. Cronk had a weapon made of, well, chaos as well, and when we finally fought her, it kept jumpin' around from hero to hero...caused a whole big mess. In any case...." He listened intently to Hybros retell the history of the Pheles Rod, with a gradually deepening frown. "Mephisto? I've met him. Hell, I've defeated him too," remarked Atramor, surprised, holding the Amulet of the Court up to the light. "How many times do ya' have to kill a demon before it actually dies? Hah...so, increased vitality? Interestin'. Drank the strangest brew that did the same thing durin' the fight against Wren. If it's anythin' like that...," he trailed off, accepting the Pheles Rod. Immediately, a violently cold sensation shot up his arm, followed by one of strength - of power. He lifted it up a few inches from the table, examining the length of the weapon with interest. It was no material he knew of, and as he observed it, he could've sworn he heard a distant whisper of a mutter. He glances back up at Hybros, and slid the Sword of Ancestral Hatred across the table to the imp. "You've got yourself a deal, mate."

[JimBee]

"Yes, Cronk and I both received the orbs on our first quest together that turned into a sword and a scythe. This has been a trusty weapon for me thus far, but perhaps you are right... if it is possible, it could have betrayed me for Zoot in that battle you speak of." Hybros shook his head. He was speaking hypothetically again, and about strange demons and deities, if they could be called that, that he did not understand. "So you have met this Mephistopheles as well... hmm... it appears these archdemons, or whatever they are, can not be destroyed at all, at least not through... conventional means. Eh... nothing but trouble, if you ask me." Hybros quickly handed over the Rod, eager to get rid of it after all of the talk of archdemons. He accepted the Sword of Ancenstral Hatred, and stood up to twirl it a few times. "I am no swordsman, but it is a fine weapon. I hope to test it soon... I have spent too much time in the Hall, eheh. Perhaps this new quest on the board interests you?" Hybros nodded towards the sign up sheet. "Though slaying rats is not exactly my first choice, eheh."

[CMP]

Atramor nodded. "Aye. They're odd creatures, plain and simple." He glanced at the Quest board at Hybros' mention of it, and chuckled. "Slayin' rats ain't what I envisioned when I joined Heroica either, yet, well, look where I am now." He waved a hand at the Rat's Hide he was wearing, and Ratsbane, bearing at least a dozen notches. It didn't take a genius to figure out what they symbolized. "Seems like everyone we Quest for has an infestation of some kinda vermin...I'll think about it. Killin' rats is second nature to me now, but I dunno a damn thing about theatre."

[JimBee]

"All too true, eheh" Hybros shook his head and grinned. "I know nothing of theater either... an odd practice if you ask me. Although a group of heroes just recently left for one... some sort of big ball with all the Eubric houses attending." Hybros thought for a moment. "Oh, I am also selling gems. I am afraid you just missed Elphaba, but luckily for you I have stocked up on her wares. Do you have any interest in purchasing this diamond here? Hehehe..."

[CMP]

"Quests are just gettin' weirder and weirder, I tell ya'." Atramor glanced at the crystal clear gem. "Sure, give me a minute to head over to the marketplace. Got some stuff to sell off anyway." He nodded at the imp, and exited the hall.

[JimBee]

"Mhm, of course, hehe..." Hybros headed over to Guts, who was speaking to Ellaria. "Guts, it has been too long, heh. How have you been...?"

[Bricksandparts]

"Hello again, Atramor, what have you been doing since we last met?"

[Scubacarrot]

"Guts, it has been too long, heh. How have you been...?"

Guts nodded at Hybros, as the raider sat down at a nearby table: "It has indeed. I have been well, I'm still here, after all." He smirked. "What about you? You seem more chatty, than usual."

[JimBee]

Guts nodded at Hybros, as the raider sat down at a nearby table: "It has indeed. I have been well, I'm still here, after all." He smirked. "What about you? You seem more chatty, than usual."

"Indeed, hehe. I have been... fine. Since our quest together nderneath the city I ventured to a pagoda in the land of Xu, for the Ji Pei. I am afraid it was all but a waste of time, and we... I, failed... But enough of that, I have a business proposition for you, hehehe. I am trying to sell back these gems here..." Hybros opened a sack and poured an emerald, ruby, garnet, topaz, and sapphire out onto the table. "Since Elphaba has left, I figured someone would want to buy from her wares. So, are you interested? Hehe..."

"And yes, one finds one's self more talkative when there is business to bedone, eheh."

[Scubacarrot]

Guts raised an eyebrow, he wasn't sure if he liked this... different side of Hybros. Something about a creature resembling a demon talking about business, was very unnerving.

"Xu... Now that's a place... I won't bore you with my stories." The raider picked up one of the gems, turning it around, before putting it back down. "I am interested, what would you want, for all of them?"

[CMP]

"Hope you're not already lookin' for other buyers?" joked Atramor, returning to Hybros' table and taking a seat, sliding a pouch of 100 coins across to the imp and giving Guts a sharp nod in greeting before glancing at the assassin. "One Diamond, I think?"

[Scubacarrot]

Guts greeted Atramor with a short: "Gibbin." The raider surpressed a yawn, he really wanted his business with Ellaria and now this with Hybros over with, so he could get some rest. How could Atramor be so energetic already? He wasn't old, was the short answer. The raider sat back, and said: "The job went well. No complications. Well lead."

[CMP]

"Aye, thanks. Haven't lead a party in quite a while. That one was easy enough, not doin' much more than keepin' the battles in order."

[Brickdoctor]

I approach the group of Rogues trading gems.

"Good day, Master Hybros, Master Gibbin.

"Master Holla, that dagger of yours is powerful, but it must cost quite a bit to keep it maintained. Would you be interested in this Grating Stone?"

[Scubacarrot]

"Docken." Guts tips his forehead, as a greeting. After a few seconds, the raider decides: "I am." Guts rummages through his coat, and takes out a pouch, containing 220 gold, and places on the table. "You wouldn't know where I could get any more of those, would you?"

[Brickdoctor]

"Docken." Guts tips his forehead, as a greeting. After a few seconds, the raider decides: "I am." Guts rummages through his coat, and takes out a pouch, containing 220 gold, and places on the table. "You wouldn't know where I could get any more of those, would you?"

"Excellent, thank you.

"I remember that Master Nihai had one when we recently quested together in the Fields of Glory. I believe he's still around here somewhere. Tall Raider, shining golden armor, sandals with wings on them. I also saw a couple in Miss Hightribe's inventory when I looked to see what she was willing to sell.

"Other than those two, I think the other heroes who possess Grating Stones are away on quests."

[JimBee]

Guts raised an eyebrow, he wasn't sure if he liked this... different side of Hybros. Something about a creature resembling a demon talking about business, was very unnerving.

"Xu... Now that's a place... I won't bore you with my stories." The raider picked up one of the gems, turning it around, before putting it back down. "I am interested, what would you want, for all of them?"

"A place I can live without returning to for a long time." But Jun was still there, fighting for his life... Or worse. "Let me see... Mathematics has never been my strong point, another human invention... Hmm, I will accept 550 gold for all of them. The price of the secondary market is not cheap, eheh."

"Hope you're not already lookin' for other buyers?" joked Atramor, returning to Hybros' table and taking a seat, sliding a pouch of 100 coins across to the imp and giving Guts a sharp nod in greeting before glancing at the assassin. "One Diamond, I think?"

"Heheh, of course not, but you are not my only customer. Here is your diamond."

I approach the group of Rogues trading gems.

"Good day, Master Hybros, Master Gibbin.

"Docken." Hybros nodded. "Hopefully I will not need those grating stones with this new sword of mine... Eheh." He tipped his hat towards Atramor. "While we are all here, I would like to make a proposition. I am sure all of us... Eh..." He looked at Guts yawning and leaning back in his chair. "Well, most of us, are eager to get out of this Hall again. All of you seem able, we ought to quest together, the four of us... Or five if you wish, Madame." Ellaria seemed preoccupied. "...as soon as another quest goes up of course, eheh."

[CMP]

Atramor picked up the Diamond, stowing it in his cloak for the present. His eyes slid from the destructive raider, to the precise assassin, and to the helpful-as-a-rock warden. "That'd be a hell of the party," he agreed.