Heroica RPG - Heroica Hall

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall tramps into the hall exhausted. The ogres eyes don't even glance at the quest board as he makes his way upstairs. He notes some of his previous companions at their usual places but decides not to bother them. Now wasn't the time to bring up their failure, now was a time to recover. Skrall ordered a tankard of ale and a bowl of stew before making his way to a table and digging into the much welcome sustenance.

[Endgame]

"And here I was hoping to gossip like a couple housewives," Em replies, not bother to hide his glare, still tense. "It's been forever since I've seen your lot-- the least you could do is tell me how everyone is doing."

"Oculoids are being produced faster than ever - our numbers are better than ever. And the stronger our master gets, the stronger we get. And if you would recall, our master was more than powerful to begin with."

[Kintobor]

A Shadeux guard walks into the hall and posts a notice on the board, not really caring for a drink or the non-demon.

The chosen heroes are to meet me at the Akrone Winery and Vineyard in three days time. Transportation has already been arranged. Be ready by six in the morning tomorrow. -Sally Akrone

CHOSEN HEROES FOR QUEST 103: ALFENDI LUPINE STRIKES AGAIN!

Hoke Ablesword, 32.25 Mystic Knight (UsernameMDM)

Guts Holla, Level 31 1/4 Alchemist (Scubacarrot)

Alexandre LeChevalier, Level 27.33 Black Knight (Capt.JohnPaul)

Arthur Justus Regulus VII, Level 32.75 Skirmisher (Flipz)

Thormanil Nihai, Level 37.5 Dragoon (swils) X

Lind Whisperer, Level 1 Rogue (Lind Whisperer)

The guard nods in approval, then leaves.

QM Note: Quest begins tomorrow! You've got time to shop and finalize whatever needs finalizing. Best of luck, everyone!

[Flipz]

"There's only room for one nightmarish abomination in this Hall, Seerus, and that would be me," Arthur remarks, unable to ignore the situation any further. "Out." Despite the command, it doesn't appear that he'll do anything about it--the command was delivered in a flat tone, and the Skirmisher didn't even bother to turn around to address the Oculoid.

Hearing his name called, Arthur stows the package he'd been fiddling with for days, dons his new cloak, and headed for the door, pausing in case anyone had some last words for him.

Edited July 16, 2014 by Flipz

[CMP]

"You tell him, Arthur," remarked Atramor dryly, sipping from a fresh bottle.

[Endgame]

"You'll be back, lad." says Seerus in regards to Arthur's remark. "And I'll show you just what an "abomination" really is. You'll be at the Citadel eventually. And trust me, Arthur - When you're there, you'll wish you chose an eternity trapped in Nevermore than whatever hell awaits you in our realm."

Seerus turns to Atramor.

"Is he always this cripplingly naive and arrogant?"

Edited July 16, 2014 by Endgame

[Emjajoas]

"Oculoids are being produced faster than ever - our numbers are better than ever. And the stronger our master gets, the stronger we get. And if you would recall, our master was more than powerful to begin with."

Em nods, his brow furrowing. "Seems you're not quite welcome here. What the hell'd you do to piss everyone off, I wonder?"

He shrugs, regaining part of his composure, though unable to hide all the venom in his tone-- and the obvious bloodlust emanating from his visage and posture. "Ah, well, glad to hear things are going well for you. Slauhgtering you oculoids is like that there one snack-- the more you eat at once, the tastier it gets. I'm looking forward to bleeding with your master. What colour is his blood, anyway? Or yours, for that matter? I'm a little curious..."

[Endgame]

"People just don't seem to enjoy the fact our plans involves their complete erasure. Pity. A truly perfect being would accept their fate to pave the way to a better world - but then again, if you were perfect beings, we would most certainly not have to cull you. We'll create a blank canvas on which Olegaia can once again try to create a less flawed species to dominate the planet. You know me to be the artistic type, "Em." How could I resist?

I am still impressed by what you pulled off at the Colony. Then again, they were led by that weakling, Iris. My Master and I ensured she didn't get another shot at royally screwing everything up again - despite the fact that we claimed everything we needed from the Progg Colony, it was still her most astonishing failure. She's been sent to the backlines, left to pathetically mewl about how many "children" she has - the stupid harpy still thinks all of the Oculoids are her "children". Idiot. Many of them have already surpassed her.

My blood? A very pleasant shade of ash black, if you must know. Sometimes I change it to suit my fancy - some days, black, others, azure, occasionally red, rarely green..."

Edited July 16, 2014 by Endgame

[UsernameMDM]

"A Flaming Gumball for this old goat," he sneers at her, his eyes tired, red, and moist. She sets about her business quietly, returning the sneer.

"You've looked better," Hoke quipped as he set his tankard on the bar and pushed it towards the keep for a refill.

[Emjajoas]

Em clicks his teeth. "I quite admire your plan. If the sacrifice wasn't so great, I would probably support you," Em shrugs again. "Whether or not you succeed matters little to me. I've hardly an eye for art-- I'm nothing but a killer, after all-- so if you're going to do your art, what you do best, then at least let me do what I do best. Better yet, try to stop me."

Em relaxes slightly. "Looking back, I wish we had killed Iris when we had the chance. Filthy wretch."

He shakes his head. "Black blood, though. Fitting. I look forward to spilling it."

[Zepher]

"You've looked better," Hoke quipped as he set his tankard on the bar and pushed it towards the keep for a refill.

Boomingham beams at one of his friends stepping out from the crowd to greet him. "I feel like you could say that about me more often than not," he sighs. "How are you, Hoke? Off to the next big adventure already, I suppose. It seems you and I never end up on a quest together. A damn shame. Could use a righteous sword like yours." Boomingham sips at his drink.

[JimBee]

Hybros reaches for his scythe upon the entrance of a floating eyeball, but several other heroes' familiarity with the creature, albeit negative, allowed the imp to relax.

Arthur feels a strange pull, and turns to see Hybros entering the Hall. Of course. Zoot's Reaper would sense me...its brother. And I it. Still drawn by some strange compulsion, Arthur moves over a few seats to sit next to the imp. "Hybros. I haven't spoken with you in a while...not since shortly after Wren, I think." He had, perhaps, spotted the imp briefly after his return from R'klif, but both had left on Quests shortly afterward. "How goes the world?"

"Ah yes, it seems you have changed since then. The world, well..." Just then, Arthur's name was called for a quest, and the now-skirmisher rose to depart. Hybros sighed. "Such fleeting times to rest, heheh." He tipped his hat in farewell.

A lumbering shape took a seat at the bar. "Boomingham!" And a familiar voice from the other end of the bar. Hybros had noticed scruffy-looking man when he entered, but could it be...? He looked at the white and blue dagger the man was holding. A different shape, but the Pheles Rod was unmistakable. "Atramor...?" He looked back and forth between the paladin and regulator. "I have not seen either of you for a long time. It has been much longer since we have traveled together, since that time at the Shadeaux warehouse, eheheh..."

[Flipz]

Arthur sets 150 Gold on a table for Hybros, along with a note outlining who and what the money was for.

"You'll be back, lad." says Seerus in regards to Arthur's remark. "And I'll show you just what an "abomination" really is. You'll be at the Citadel eventually. And trust me, Arthur - When you're there, you'll wish you chose an eternity trapped in Nevermore than whatever hell awaits you in our realm."

Seerus turns to Atramor.

"Is he always this cripplingly naive and arrogant?"

"No, I won't. Your master thinks I'm some pawn in his grand scheme? Wrong. Believe it or not, I have bigger priorities than him." Before the Oculoid can get another word in edgewise, Arthur departs from the Hall.

Edited July 16, 2014 by Flipz

[Lind Whisperer]

The lone Rogue, lost in his thoughts*, failed to notice the strange creature for a few minutes. He got up, and stepped towards where it was in conversation with several of the other patrons.

"Excuse me for the interruption, but what exactly are you? In my studies, I have never come across anything specifically like yourself, although there were plenty of occasional nods and references towards beings similar in description to you."

He then noticed the Shadeux guard's posting, and his lips turned, if only for a moment, into a pleased smile. Although he was, truly, not entirely as skilled as he might be for such an adventure, he had studied all available information, and thus, he felt ready to face whatever this Lupine could throw at him. He then looked back at the strange, tentacled eye.

Ooc: *Or that he had to be afk for far too long...

QM Note: Quest begins tomorrow! You've got time to shop and finalize whatever needs finalizing. Best of luck, everyone!

Ooc: Lets see...I bought a Potion and a Bedroll, and I interviewed both the librarian and the saloon-keeper. Not sure exactly what else I could finalize...I could try asking the other (NPC) patrons if they know anything about Lupendi, but I doubt that that would lead to much more information than what I already know.

Edited July 16, 2014 by Lind Whisperer

[JimBee]

"Excuse me for the interruption, but what exactly are you? In my studies, I have never come across anything specifically like yourself, although there were plenty of occasional nods and references towards beings similar in description to you."

Hybros looked around, assuming the hooded man was speaking to him. He hopped off his stool, which revealed his short stature. He looked up into the Rogue's eyes. "I am a hero of Heroica, you must be lost." He paused for a moment before a wicked grin spread across his face. "Heheheh... it was a joke. I am many things. A traveler, an assassin... some call me an imp. Others, a demon. Only one thing is certain... you are what you choose to be. And what is it that you choose, human?"

[Lind Whisperer]

Hybros looked around, assuming the hooded man was speaking to him. He hopped off his stool, which revealed his short stature. He looked up into the Rogue's eyes. "I am a hero of Heroica, you must be lost." He paused for a moment before a wicked grin spread across his face. "Heheheh... it was a joke. I am many things. A traveler, an assassin... some call me an imp. Others, a demon. Only one thing is certain... you are what you choose to be. And what is it that you choose, human?"

The lone Rogue turned to the Imp. "Choice. A hard question. What does it mean for one choose? And by choosing that, do they always have to follow that choice? I do choose, though...I choose to walk among the other denizens of our world, and try to do what few good deeds I can, when I can.

What is it that you choose to be?"

Ooc: Btw, my earlier post was directed at Endgame's demon.

Edited July 16, 2014 by Lind Whisperer

[JimBee]

The lone Rogue turned to the Imp. "Choice. A hard question. What does it mean for one choose? And by choosing that, do they always have to follow that choice? I do choose, though...I choose to walk among the other denizens of our world, and try to do what few good deeds I can, when I can.

What is it that you choose to be?"

Ooc: Btw, my earlier post was directed at Endgame's demon.

OOC: Uhh, oops.

"I do what I can." Hybros shrugs and returns to his water and companions.

[Lind Whisperer]

OOC: Uhh, oops.

"I do what I can." Hybros shrugs and returns to his water and companions.

"And few of us can do more than that."

Ooc: Probably my bad - I should have remembered that in Heroica, if they're not human, "Strange Creature" applies to literally everyone.

[Palathadric]

"I usually purchase gems for 75 gold at the hall." I reply to Alexandre.

[UsernameMDM]

Boomingham beams at one of his friends stepping out from the crowd to greet him. "I feel like you could say that about me more often than not," he sighs. "How are you, Hoke? Off to the next big adventure already, I suppose. It seems you and I never end up on a quest together. A damn shame. Could use a righteous sword like yours." Boomingham sips at his drink.

Hoke hears the Shadeaux soldier call out his name as Boomingham speaks.

"It seems so. At least I could greet a friend before I go. One day, my friend, we will be on the road together again. And what tales we will have from that adventure!"

Hoke pats Boomingham on the back and makes his way out of the Hall.

[Endgame]

Em clicks his teeth. "I quite admire your plan. If the sacrifice wasn't so great, I would probably support you," Em shrugs again. "Whether or not you succeed matters little to me. I've hardly an eye for art-- I'm nothing but a killer, after all-- so if you're going to do your art, what you do best, then at least let me do what I do best. Better yet, try to stop me."

Em relaxes slightly. "Looking back, I wish we had killed Iris when we had the chance. Filthy wretch."

He shakes his head. "Black blood, though. Fitting. I look forward to spilling it."

"A hero once did support our master. He saw a vision: metal spires poking from an infertile, dead Olegaia, the planet's population extinct and all but unable to repopulate. Such is the fate you humans will incite. Not much of a blank canvas: More like a fine portrait that has been mauled and vandalized, shredded and torn to pieces; ruined. We won't let that happen - you've already desecrated this planet far too much. The druid I spoke of would've sided with us, but alas, he had his own matters he thought more important to resolve. Even the wisest of you aren't wise enough, it seems.

Oh, and a bet yours is a garish red, Ranger. Ugh. That'll look tacky splattered across the walls of my gallery."

"Excuse me for the interruption, but what exactly are you? In my studies, I have never come across anything specifically like yourself, although there were plenty of occasional nods and references towards beings similar in description to you."

"An Oculoid, the head Oculoid, in fact - I am Mastermind Seerus. "

Edited July 16, 2014 by Endgame

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"I usually purchase gems for 75 gold at the hall." I reply to Alexandre.

"Ohhh monk.. I have others willing to pay more. I'm sure you have more to offer with all those 'donations' you ask for yes? " Alexandre laughs.

[Palathadric]

"Ohhh monk.. I have others willing to pay more. I'm sure you have more to offer with all those 'donations' you ask for yes? " Alexandre laughs.

I grunt.

"Times are bad. Donations are hard to come by these days. Still, I may be willing to go up to 85, but not beyond that."

[CMP]

A lumbering shape took a seat at the bar. "Boomingham!" And a familiar voice from the other end of the bar. Hybros had noticed scruffy-looking man when he entered, but could it be...? He looked at the white and blue dagger the man was holding. A different shape, but the Pheles Rod was unmistakable. "Atramor...?" He looked back and forth between the paladin and regulator. "I have not seen either of you for a long time. It has been much longer since we have traveled together, since that time at the Shadeaux warehouse, eheheh..."

"Aye," nodded Atramor. "We've...been out for a while. Tryin' to get rid of problems that always manage to get rid of us first," he added, grumbling. "It's a long story. What've you been up to, mate? Don't think I've seen you seen ya' went to some party..."

[Wedge09]

Seeing there he isn't one of the choosen heroes for Quest 103 and disappointed not to be able to gain some Shadeux reputation, Alexander decides to sign up for Quest 105: Eternal Reaper.