Heroica RPG - Heroica Hall

[swils]

He picks up Ammit, the red core giving off a faint glow with Arthur's approach.

"Would ya look't that. Seems the blade woke up! Picked it up off an old man who was part of a Wolfgang crew that jumped us. Didn't think there was anything special 'bout it til now."

[Flipz]

"Old man...mage, perhaps?" He looks at the blade, glowing in response to his arrival. On impulse, he slides 150 Gold across the table. Now why did I do that? I can't even use the blasted thing. Too late to rethink now, though...

He pauses, standing in silence for about a minute. Finally he asks, "Master Nihai...why did you switch to a Raider after having been a Shaman?"

[Zepher]

Nerwen speaks quietly to the diminutive guardian.

Is that because she binds your will or strikes at the connection between you and your God? The answer to that might help us defend ourselves.

Speaking up a little louder

My friend Guts says many things. Not everything that he says reflects what he truly thinks. But any rogue, if they've survived enough to grow old can tell you which way the crowd is running.

I heard tell there was an Ithil'quessir, a moon-elf there. And that he was killed. That is, to me, the most troubling news.

Leaning back a little, Nerwen says in a brighter tone

By the looks of the questboard there is trouble in R'kilf, we may end up questing together finally.

"I do not know how she did it. I lost control of myself in a way that I never have before. I did not know what it was like to not have a purpose, to not have control. It was Lawrence who freed me with his concern for Nyx."

"My dearest friend Nyx made his acquaintance; I didn't have the pleasure of talking to him before the witch off'd him. And that would indeed be a pleasure, questing together."

[swils]

He gives the blade a quick once over, shrugs, and hands it to Arthur.

"It's a strange feelin', trying to siphon life outta something that ain't quite alive itself, but wants to be. You can feel its lust for a second life as it instead drains you. Nasty feeling. Haunting. Don't really wanna experience that again. Plus, I missed being able to lay the hurt on."

[Flipz]

Arthur brooded silently as he accepted the sword. "Do you think Mages are trustworthy, Master Nihai? Or for that matter, anyone who uses Ether?"

[swils]

"Trustworthy? Eh, depends on the 'who' more than the ether. I've met many a mage here who I'd trust with m'life, and faced many who'd be happy to take mine."

[Endgame]

If only those bridges would last...

Karie took another drink from her bottle of hard lemonade before continuing the conversation.

"So where do you live?"

Sorry I couldn't post yesterday; busy day and I ended up with a migraine.

"Usually I camp out during the winter. During the nicer months I usually drift from inn to inn, or just sleep at the hall."

[Chromeknight]

"I do not know how she did it. I lost control of myself in a way that I never have before. I did not know what it was like to not have a purpose, to not have control. It was Lawrence who freed me with his concern for Nyx."

"My dearest friend Nyx made his acquaintance; I didn't have the pleasure of talking to him before the witch off'd him. And that would indeed be a pleasure, questing together."

It sounds like you have been sent to him for more than simply guiding him. Perhaps he has some things to show you too.

Nerwen looks around. She sees Arthur and a barbarian, Dyric and De'kra, Cronk and a new dwarf.

I should speak to her then sometime. But where is she?

[Kintobor]

Talk about lonely.

Karie isn't sure what to make of Sorrow. Her potentially closest surving relative was a homeless hero who camps out during the winter and sleeps around the hall, go figure. She remembers seeing his mangled hand. Who would simply leave glass in their hand? Infection was bound to hit him sooner than later.

"Sorrow, I think I'm going to take a nap. I've had an exhausting few days, and I need some sleep. You can leave whenever, and feel free to keep the booze you have. Have a safe walk... well, to wherever it is you call home."

Kaie gets up and places her domino mask on the table. She grabs a damp towel off the counter and begins to wipe off the make up on her hands.

[Scorpiox]

Not much since Wren. During the Foundation Day Ball, Cronk, Xander, Nerwen and I were going up and down a hotel settling debts and fares. Ran into another dragon, mind you, and met a young woman. Besides that, nothing. How about you?

"I've just returned home from a brief trip out of the city, some far off island called Nova Tertia. We were tasked with clearing out a bunch of nasty animals and capturing others. After the amount of peril I've been up against lately... well, sometimes a spate of hitting things can do you good. One of my party went a bit raving mad - shouting, threatening, the like - but I can't complain, that kind of thing seems normal these days."

"So this quest of yours... must have been quite some hotel with a real dragon staying there. Imagine that. What was it like? In the north we love our dragons, never actually seen one myself, course..." Haldor coughs awkwardly. "Uh... and a lass too! By met, d'you mean that you met her? Or, you know, met her."

[Endgame]

"Sorrow, I think I'm going to take a nap. I've had an exhausting few days, and I need some sleep. You can leave whenever, and feel free to keep the booze you have. Have a safe walk... well, to wherever it is you call home."

"Okay, Karie. Thanks for having me, and get the sleep you need."

This whole "relative" thing was weird. Very weird. How did normal people go about this stuff? Either way, she doesn't seem to want to kill me now, so that is a step in the right direction, I guess.

I give a guilty chuckle.

"I've had quite a few homes over the centuries... Too bad the neighbors torched all of them when they decided they didn't want an undead living near them. The piles of ash weren't wort it, and so, I adopted this life style.

See you around, Karie."

And with that, I exit, going down the stairs.

A short walk through Eubric later, I return to the hall, opening the doors and shuffling into the bustling rooms. There were plenty of familiar faces, but most of them seem occupied in conversation. I simply order a glass of water and sit down, taking small sips.

[Duvors]

Cronk apologizes. Hall is abnormally loud today and Cronk must have misheard.

Duty is an honorable cage to imprison oneself. Does Throlar enjoy being ambassador?

"No,I don't. And the reason is that I'm a utter failure."

[The Legonater]

Vipera was a dragon, albeit a young one. Still older than either of us will ever be.

As for Claire, we've... talked, but not much more than that yet.

[Scorpiox]

Vipera was a dragon, albeit a young one. Still older than either of us will ever be.

As for Claire, we've... talked, but not much more than that yet.

"Yeah, you're right I suppose; but I never never really thought about her like that. She's old... but not really ancient or magnificent like the ones from the stories."

Haldor laughs.

"Ah, the 'yet'. Sounds like you've got more on your mind for her than you're letting on."

[Kintobor]

"Yeah, be careful out there."

As soon as the door slams shut, Karie lets out a deep breath. She wiped the make up off her face and begins to change. She didn't know how to deal with Sorrow. The lingering feeling of anger mulled about in her head, yet she wasn't sure how to deal with the revelation that she was related to the man who allowed Patricia to run her sister through and that he wanted to make amends, or the possibility that Kayla forgot her promise the last day she saw her, nineteen years ago. She got into bed more confused than ever, and began to sleep...

[The Legonater]

I'm still not entirely sure what I want. Heroica is a dangerous business. You were there at the final Wren battle. Do I want to drag an innocent soul into something like that? Do I want someone worrying over whether I'll come back from a quest alive whenever I head out? I'm not sure I'd be willing to inflict that sort of life on someone, Haldor.

[Zepher]

It sounds like you have been sent to him for more than simply guiding him. Perhaps he has some things to show you too.

Nerwen looks around. She sees Arthur and a barbarian, Dyric and De'kra, Cronk and a new dwarf.

I should speak to her then sometime. But where is she?

The angel simply shrugs and eyes Boomingham with distrust.

"She's out and about in the big bad world of Olegia. She's an adventurer, after all."

[Flipz]

Arthur sat down in a chair and leaned back, allowing his elemental powers to flicker on and off, on and off, first an icicle from finger to finger, then an arc of lightning, then a shadowy mist...the Etherial display continued as he began to speak. "Hm. I guess you're right. I mean, look at Nyx, Cinna, Hoke. None of them seem to have fallen into madness...I guess the problem comes in that I don't trust myself." He sits, thinking. "I wonder if Copper Fox would let me train to be a Knight? Can you imagine that, Master Nihai? Being able to protect your compatriots with your mighty shield...having your words have meaning to others? That's something money can't buy...and let's be honest, when was the last time either of our abilities to Flee have done anyone any good?"

[Scorpiox]

I'm still not entirely sure what I want. Heroica is a dangerous business. You were there at the final Wren battle. Do I want to drag an innocent soul into something like that? Do I want someone worrying over whether I'll come back from a quest alive whenever I head out? I'm not sure I'd be willing to inflict that sort of life on someone, Haldor.

Haldor poised himself to laugh, but quickly stopped himself when he realised that Dyric was serious. The nord spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Oh, gods, you've been spending far too much time with the boy Regulus, haven't you? Let me make this clear, you've got to shake yourself out of that attitude, it won't get you nowhere. Tell me, Dyric, what is the point in living if all do you do is grind yourself into a darker hole of misery, depression and stuff like that? There ain't none, you might as well sit at home all day trying to be sad. Sure, what we do isn't the kind of thing you want to bring to family, or your women, into - but in that case... don't. No-one is gonna force you to involve people you care about, least of all, them. Here in Heroica, we're not a gang nor high-profile folks, I doubt anyone would think to go after our loved ones before at least trying a shot at us in person - something they won't get another of. And for starters, who says you are gonna die on a quest any time soon? The battle in the temple was a dark time, make no mistake about that, and yes, I did fancy my chances that we were heading down a one-way street. But... we won, didn't we? And if you allow Wren to continue affecting your life after we kicked her @rse halfway to hell, that's a sweet kind of revenge you're giving her, you know. Sometimes you've just got to lighten up and live a little. Forget that "I don't want to inflict that life" megablocks and take a long, slow drink. Go find your girl, calm down a bit, have some fun. Maybe play cards with me. Whatever takes your fancy."

He winks casually.

[Endgame]

Time to pay some dues - I walk over to the Sorcerer, standing next to his chair. he is in conversation with Thromanil.

"Ah, hopefully I'm not intruding. Hello, Thromanil - and hello to you too, Arthur. Thanks for the ...assist... back there."

[CorneliusMurdock]

"No,I don't. And the reason is that I'm a utter failure."

Perhaps it is time to change line of work? Maybe friend dwarf would be better at something else... Has Throlar ever tried cooking? Cronk hears that it is good hobby at least.

Fishing is supposed to be relaxing as well. Though in Cronk's experience, fisherman is more likely to be attacked by fish than not.

Cronk knew a being once. A professional juggler. Never made much gold but friend was happiest being Cronk ever knew.

[The Legonater]

Dyric nodded softly. He had been too tense since the final battle, hadn't he?

He looked up at Haldor, his face just barely betraying a grin.

Alright. But you deal first.

[Duvors]

Perhaps it is time to change line of work? Maybe friend dwarf would be better at something else... Has Throlar ever tried cooking? Cronk hears that it is good hobby at least.

Fishing is supposed to be relaxing as well. Though in Cronk's experience, fisherman is more likely to be attacked by fish than not.

Cronk knew a being once. A professional juggler. Never made much gold but friend was happiest being Cronk ever knew.

"I can't,I was made an ambassador because I had to have some important position or none."

[CorneliusMurdock]

That is unfortunate, friend Throlar. It is a family thing? Cronk can understand having to take responsibilty for sake of others. It is what family is supposed to do.

Job does not preclude hobbies, though. Throlar could take up stamp collecting or something. Cronk recently began having music as hobby. Cronk finds playing music very relaxing after a long day of bashing evil.

[Brickdoctor]

The door to Heroica Hall opens to once again admit a member of a faction that hadn't dared to present itself to heroes in quite some time: you see a Brobric Elf standing by the Quest Board, quietly surveying the sign-ups.

"Let's see... couple elves, not what I'd hoped for, but satisfactory. One of those will of course be the leader of this group. Human druid, good, human paladin, good... this one fought for the Lions, but if the library's records are to be believed, he is just the type of creative hero that my lord Normorn wants. And to add some variety... well, neither choice is appealing to an elf, but I'll have to choose the dwarf over the undead abomination."

The elf pins up a new piece of parchment:

Chosen heroes for

Quest 77: Your Elves are Better than Ours

:

Nerwen Calmcacil

, Level 18.5 Shaman (Chromeknight)

*Party Leader*

Alexander Vandagant

, Level 15 Hunter (Wedge09)

Ellaria Arbour

, Level 22.33 Druid (Sandy)

Lord Lawrence Boomingham

, Level 26.33 Paladin (Zepher)

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

, Level 26.33 Sorcerer (Flipz)

Throlar Wineghilm

, Level 1 Knight (Lord Duvors)

A few of you watch as the elf nervously makes her way through the Hall, talking to a few heroes.

"Lady Calmcacil, Lord Vandagant, Miss Arbour, Lord Boomingham, Private Regulus, Master Dwarf: I have horses outside ready for you to ride to Brobric."

QM Note:

Quest topic will be up momentarily.