Heroica RPG - Heroica Hall

[Lind Whisperer]

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

"Fascinating." Lind looked at the sundial* on the nearby window-sill, and noticed the shadow beginning to edge toward the time stated by Mrs...or was it Miss, Akrone.

"My extreme apologies, but I just realized I must be going - truly fascinating meeting you, though."

He adjusted the position of his hood, and quietly stepped out into the street. He began to make his way to the Marketplace.

Ooc: *I wasn't sure if clocks had been fully invented yet in Heroica, and home sundials were generally carved into a window-sill...

[Emjajoas]

"Tacky red indeed," Em replies with a nod. "I'm sure you'll have a tough time working with it; shame, though. Dying only to be preserved in the form of art sounds rather poetic. Maybe I'll try painting you with your own blood when we're finished. You'll be remembered, at least"

Edited July 16, 2014 by emjajoas

[Zepher]

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.

"Stay safe out there!" hollers Boomingham with a smile and a wave. He is already feeling a little better.

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, and that time we had to deal with wacky inventors and the Vibrataphone," Boomingham says with a smile. "Believe it or not, Atramor and I have only been on one adventure since then." But then, suddenly, Boomingham grows silent, and watches his fellow quest mate to see how he behaves. He clears his throat. "What of you, Hybros? How many errands have you run since we left - seems errands are the only sort of quests I ever get around to finishing."

[Capt.JohnPaul]

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."

"Alright friend. That's a deal. 85 gold for the emerald." Alexandre offers to seal the deal with a handshake.

[Palathadric]

I hand Alexandre the gold.

"Fair well on your quest. May you bring that robber to justice."

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.

"Alexander! How has life been for you? Good questing, I hope. Heh! If those Fields of Glory open again perhaps we should have another stint in there. Alas! There seems to be too much to do these days."

[Endgame]

"Tacky red indeed," Em replies with a nod. "I'm sure you'll have a tough time working with it; shame, though. Dying only to be preserved in the form of art sounds rather poetic. Maybe I'll try painting you with your own blood when we're finished. You'll be remembered, at least"

"The living are rembered, "Em", and I can assure you that I will outlast you by dozens of millenia. Tell me. Em. When you first saw me, you were unnerved. On edge, perhaps even afraid. You were more willing to pass me off as hallucination than confront my existence. I can read minds, hero. I could practically see the aura of uneasiness - a tense blue glow. Tell me, Em, do you think I fear you? Do you think when I look at you, I see a mighty hero like those from legend, someone ready to stomp out a dragon and save the princess from the tower... Or do you think I see a sad excuse for a "protector of the weak?"

I enjoy your presence, Em, but not for meaningful conversation. I like to see worms interpret their own fear as some form of bravery. Now, tell me, little worm; do you have what it takes to squrim all the way to my Master's big, bad, citadel, and confront him... Or are you going to fail, just like the rest?"

Edited July 17, 2014 by Endgame

[Capt.JohnPaul]

I hand Alexandre the gold.

"Fair well on your quest. May you bring that robber to justice."

"Thank you. I may be a Black Knight, but there is honor among thieves. Godspeed on your adventures." Alexandre then leaves, realizing he is almost late.

[Emjajoas]

"The living are rembered, "Em", and I can assure you that I will outlast you by dozens of millenia. Tell me. Em. When you first saw me, you were unnerved. On edge, perhaps even afraid. You were more willing to pass me off as hallucination than confront my existence. I can read minds, hero. I could practically see the aura of uneasiness - a tense blue glow. Tell me, Em, do you think I fear you? Do you think when I look at you, I see a mighty hero like those from legend, someone ready to stomp out a dragon and save the princess from the tower... Or do you think I see a sad excuse for a "protector of the weak?"

I enjoy your presence, Em, but not for meaningful conversation. I like to see worms interpret their own fear as some form of bravery. Now, tell me, little worm; do you have what it takes to squrim all the way to my Master's big, bad, citadel, and confront him... Or are you going to fail, just like the rest?"

Em snorts. "Yes, demon. I fear you. I fear your master. I fear your inky oculoids. I'm not so coy as to claim that my fear is less than my bravery-- it's less than my stupidity, and nothing more. I am not so cocky to think you fear me, or have anything to fear from me. I'm not so arrogant to think you see me as a great hero-- as I'm sure you know, I'm only really a hero by name. I'm not going to claim that we'll win, but until my blood stains the floor I'm not admitting defeat. I've been looking for a reason to bleed, Seerus, and you bastards are good enough."

He frowns at the oculoid. "Though a worm? Really? I see myself more as a... fly. Perhaps... a mosquito. Tiny. Insignificant. A pest, really, though one that can cause... irritation on a good day."

He frowns deeper. "And if I fail to reach your master, well, I'll have no right to complain. If I'm too weak, I deserve to be swatted aside like the insect I am."

Em downs the rest of his drink, his hackles still raised, chills still running down his spine. Seerus bothered him. Reminded him of other things. Of cocky, arrogant idiots who got out of line. Of bodies, piled high. Of blood, running like rivers.

"If you can read minds, then you understand my resolve," Em says finally, his eyes never leaving the oculoid. "I came here believing I could stop taking lives, but that was a childish fantasy. I'm ready to spend lives for the honour of killing you."

Edited July 17, 2014 by emjajoas

[Endgame]

"If you need reasons to be bleed, Em, I'll gladly make you bleed out.

You can spend as many lives as you need, ranger. Did you look at the sign ups? I'm sure you noted the second name on the list - one Mr. Masson Cour. His life, his future wife's life, your comrades' lives, the lives of thousands will eventually fall onto your shoulders. Your resolve will collapse, and you will be crushed. I have seen your resolve, Em. And as well crafted as it may be, it won't be enough to survive the Citadel. To survive us.

Now, have you anything else to say?"

Edited July 17, 2014 by Endgame

[Emjajoas]

Em shakes his head. "Tell your master and dear Iris I said hello," he adds. "Though all I've left to say to you is goodbye."

Keeping his eye on the demon, though ignoring him, Em muses silently at his table.

[JimBee]

"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..."

"Aye, and that time we had to deal with wacky inventors and the Vibrataphone," Boomingham says with a smile. "Believe it or not, Atramor and I have only been on one adventure since then." But then, suddenly, Boomingham grows silent, and watches his fellow quest mate to see how he behaves. He clears his throat. "What of you, Hybros? How many errands have you run since we left - seems errands are the only sort of quests I ever get around to finishing."

Hybros nods, understanding that whatever quest Atramor and Boomingham had just returned from had been... unpleasant for them. "A party... oh, yes, at the Guffington Manor." He recalls the Red and Blue Assassins, along with the strange time traveling wereraven and lethal Selkreeth to his companions. "There were also a few escort missions for the Ji Pei, one of which Lawrence here came along on... And a journey underground, to the sunken city of Nu Mercution. Possessed Moon Elves and ghosts from the past... the usual threats, hehehe."

[CMP]

Hybros nods, understanding that whatever quest Atramor and Boomingham had just returned from had been... unpleasant for them. "A party... oh, yes, at the Guffington Manor." He recalls the Red and Blue Assassins, along with the strange time traveling wereraven and lethal Selkreeth to his companions. "There were also a few escort missions for the Ji Pei, one of which Lawrence here came along on... And a journey underground, to the sunken city of Nu Mercution. Possessed Moon Elves and ghosts from the past... the usual threats, hehehe."

"They got elves and ghosts down there too? Thought demons and their damn worshipers would'a been enough. Well, ya' must've done well, that blade seems six times sharper than when I gave it to ya'."

[Endgame]

Em shakes his head. "Tell your master and dear Iris I said hello," he adds. "Though all I've left to say to you is goodbye."

Keeping his eye on the demon, though ignoring him, Em muses silently at his table.

"I'll be certain to do that. Farewell, hero."

In a burst of black light, Seerus vanishes from the hall.

[Zepher]

"Sounds infinitely better than what we've been through, if only because it sounds like you got something done. Can't even remember the last time I got something worth doing done - killing Steerpike, I guess. Been a year and half since then… or maybe its two years." Boomingham squashes himself further down onto his chair uncomfortably. "After that it's just been errands and failures. Masson, Strivvi… I guess we helped R'Klif some, at least."

[Emjajoas]

Em's shoulders sag and he places his forehead on the table in front of him. He sighs, closing his eyes, and runs his hands through his hair.

[Wedge09]

"Alexander! How has life been for you? Good questing, I hope. Heh! If those Fields of Glory open again perhaps we should have another stint in there. Alas! There seems to be too much to do these days."

"Hey Monk Pretzel. Life has been good but this can't be said for the last Quest I was on. Anyway, I would be happy to go for another time in the Fields of Glory, maybe to stay a bit more with an higher level party."

[Sandy]

With another long and futile journey to Strivvi behind, Ellaria was feeling more like a seasoned adventurer than ever before. She had been chosen a party leader by her companions, too, and even though the quest's abrupt ending before they could reach their goal made her ashamed, she for once did not blame herself for it. She was determined to leave her old worries behind - constantly being worried didn't seem to help ease them, after all - and now she was more prepared for whatever came her way next.

And she looked the part, too. Strivvi had a lot of bad things, but it also had amazing clothing stores.

Ellaria walked the stairs up to the Saloon, and nodded to Atramor, Lawrence and Hybros as she passed them.

"Hi there, boys! A fine day for an adventure, wouldn't you think?" she said with a wink.

[Kintobor]

Karie meanders back into the hall, feeling awkward that although six months had gone by, she felt like she was only here yesterday. She pulls up a chair at the bar and sits down.

"Falana wine, please."

Looking back, Karie notices the perky girl wander into the hall and sit next to Lawrence and two other individuals, looking ready for combat, yet brimming with joy. She felt about warning her about being in the wrong crowd, but she didn't feel like confronting Lawrence and the possibility of looking like a hypocrite. Taking out her small cosmetic mirror, she opens it up and begins to reapply white makeup, all the while keeping the mirror pointed in the direction of the table Lawrence and the girl were sitting at.

Edited July 17, 2014 by Kintobor

[CMP]

"Hi there, boys! A fine day for an adventure, wouldn't you think?" she said with a wink.

"That it is. Funny, no matter how these quests seem to go, always seems like everyone's itchin' for another one after long." Atramor sipped his rum, looking around as another wave of heroes hit the Hall.

[JimBee]

"They got elves and ghosts down there too? Thought demons and their damn worshipers would'a been enough. Well, ya' must've done well, that blade seems six times sharper than when I gave it to ya'."

"Ghosts, the Crimson Crown, a machine that paints pictures and ghosts... it makes one wonder what else might be below this city, heheh." Hybros drew the Sword of Ancestral Hatred for Atramor to see, making a metal-on-metal scraping sound with the sheath. It's dark steel seemed tinted with the crimson of the blood it had absorbed. "It has seen much death since then, and I am not ashamed to say that both the sword and I have become accomplished killers together, hehehe... The Pheles Rod looks a lot different than when I last saw it. Have you managed to get the archdemon out?" Hybros grinned.

"Sounds infinitely better than what we've been through, if only because it sounds like you got something done. Can't even remember the last time I got something worth doing done - killing Steerpike, I guess. Been a year and half since then… or maybe its two years." Boomingham squashes himself further down onto his chair uncomfortably. "After that it's just been errands and failures. Masson, Strivvi… I guess we helped R'Klif some, at least."

"Strivvi.... were you not there once before? Which masons do you speak of? I have known an organization of brick masons in the Low Kingdoms..."

"Hi there, boys! A fine day for an adventure, wouldn't you think?" she said with a wink.

"Hello Ellaria." Hybros noted her apparent cheeriness compared to Boomingham and Atramor. "You still owe me that explanation on human infants..." He might have been joking, but the intonation in his voice was hard to read.

[Sandy]

"That it is. Funny, no matter how these quests seem to go, always seems like everyone's itchin' for another one after long." Atramor sipped his rum, looking around as another wave of heroes hit the Hall.

Ellaria nudges Atramor on the shoulder. "Come on, Atters! I've found life is too short for moping about. Gotta fill the days we've got left the best way we can. The life of a pharmacist just isn't for me, when there's evil in the world to be fought."

"Hello Ellaria." Hybros noted her apparent cheeriness compared to Boomingham and Atramor. "You still owe me that explanation on human infants..." He might have been joking, but the intonation in his voice was hard to read.

Ellaria grinned. "I would explain, Hybros-dear, but I could only give you insight about what it is like for a woman. These two gents...", Ellaria pointed at Atramor and Lawrence. "...can explain what they do with their manly bits." She then hesitates for a while. "Although, if you haven't seen a single person in the nude, explaining all that might be a tad challenging."

[CMP]

"Ghosts, the Crimson Crown, a machine that paints pictures and ghosts... it makes one wonder what else might be below this city, heheh." Hybros drew the Sword of Ancestral Hatred for Atramor to see, making a metal-on-metal scraping sound with the sheath. It's dark steel seemed tinted with the crimson of the blood it had absorbed. "It has seen much death since then, and I am not ashamed to say that both the sword and I have become accomplished killers together, hehehe... The Pheles Rod looks a lot different than when I last saw it. Have you managed to get the archdemon out?" Hybros grinned.

"It's the Pheles Kris now, but no, Mephisto's still foatin' around in there somewhere. Nyx, Docken, Namyrra and I actually went into the desert a few months back, took out two of his fellow archdemons. That's three. Way I hear it, still four to go."

Ellaria nudges Atramor on the shoulder. "Come on, Atters! I've found life is too short for moping about. Gotta fill the days we've got left the best way we can. The life of a pharmacist just isn't for me, when there's evil in the world to be fought."

"True. And I ain't mopin', I'm just drinkin'. Soon as something comes up that interests me, I'll probably be out killin' whatever it is."

[JimBee]

Ellaria grinned. "I would explain, Hybros-dear, but I could only give you insight about what it is like for a woman. These two gents...", Ellaria pointed at Atramor and Lawrence. "...can explain what they do with their manly bits." She then hesitates for a while. "Although, if you haven't seen a single person in the nude, explaining all that might be a tad challenging."

Hybros contemplated his experiences, coming to the conclusion that no, he had no actually seen a human without clothes. Strange. Even stranger, she seemed to imply that humans had to take their clothes off to create an infant... he wasn't sure he wanted to know more, so he quickly changed the subject. "And how exactly do you plan on filling your days? All this talk of adventure, yet your questmates are not so... enthusiastic, eheh..."

"It's the Pheles Kris now, but no, Mephisto's still foatin' around in there somewhere. Nyx, Docken, Namyrra and I actually went into the desert a few months back, took out two of his fellow archdemons. That's three. Way I hear it, still four to go."

"Two more...? I thought one was bad enough..." Hyrbros could practically hear Mephistopheles shouting in his head, even if he wasn't holding the Kris. And he recalled the archdemon in its physical form devour Namyrra and that ranger, Harkenshire... "What were they like? The archdemons? There was something in the Temple of Zoot, three seals on the floor for three demons. I wonder if the other four may be in Eubric..."

[Sandy]

"And how exactly do you plan on filling your days? All this talk of adventure, yet your questmates are not so... enthusiastic, eheh..."

Ellaria patted both Atramor and Lawrence on the shoulder. "I think these two are just downtrodden by the fact that we've travelled to Strivvi twice, and both times came home empty-handed due to circumstances not in our power. We all just need some simple and quick save-the-princess type of quest to pick us right back up, I think."

[Kintobor]

Karie closed her mirror and took a drink of her wine, continuing to ear the conversation going on near her. Just where was this Strivvi, and what happened to cause them to return empty handed? Lawrence probably had something to do with it.

"Arrogant, hypocritical idiot."

Karie mumbles under her breath.