Heroica RPG - Heroica Hall

[Sandy]

~A new quest has been posted on the Quest Board (#107 by Zepher)!~

Ellaria notices someone putting up a new poster on the Quest Board.

"Hey guys, that might be our chance", she says, moving closer to read the poster. It said people with reputation among the Ji Pei would be given priority. "Yep, right up my alley!"

Ellaria signs her name under Quest#107: Deeper.

She then got a weird association between the quest's title and Hybros' earlier inquiries, and felt a blush of shame spread on her cheeks.

[LordoftheNoobs]

Grimwald signs up for Quest #107.

[CMP]

"What the hell kind of quest pitch ends with a question..." grumbled Atramor a bit, before scribbling his name down under Quest 107. It sounded like the Ji Pei were hunting for something. In his experience under Eubric all they'd find was a bunch of demons.

[Zepher]

Boomingham ambles forward to see what his friends were talking about. He scans the quest board, but before he can even get to 107 his eyes stop and glower at 105. He signs up before quietly returning to his seat and ordering another drink. He glances over at two others at the bar - the undead Sorrow and his old ally Em. He had been avoiding talking to Em... but it seems the time has come.

"Em," rings out Boomingham's voice. "Almost didn't see you there. How are things in great big Olegia? And what about with you, Sorrow?"

[Palathadric]

"Mind if I take a seat, boys?"

I glance up as the woman points to the seat at our table, from the way her face is painted I can immediately tell what kind of woman this is. It's not hard to imagine seeing someone of that sort in Heroica, considering the kind of folk already gathered at the hall, not to mention the fact that the veterans were teaching certified courses in such...erm...

She must be trying to get Heckz, I should protect him.

I cut my thoughts short and feign ignorance to get rid of the unwanted company.

"Good God! What do you have on your face!" I gasp. "I should hope it's not contagious!"

Heckz grins. He had the perfect thing for Pretzel.

"I did, actually. But before we get to that, I've got a certain thing that might please you."

He says, before realizing how wrong that sounded, as he pulls out Watt's Artifact.

"It can really hurt demons. Like, more than just a simple tan... "

"Intriguing," I mutter, taking up the artifact. "I'm not certain that I have space for it considering all of the other artifacts I am lugging around, but it certainly would be worth purchasing if the price is right. How much?"

Karie sits down, taking her cloak off and setting it on the back of the chair.

"Monk? So you're a man of the cloth? My name's Karie, Karie Alderflask. Yourself?"

She tries to give a smile, although she doesn't know how sincere it is.

"Oh," I mutter nervously as the girl takes a seat. "Alderflask, you say? Strange name. Did your father own a rare and ancient goblet of some kind? As for my name, it precedes me in most circles. I am the slayer of demons, the protector of the weak, heck, I have even been dubbed a Super Sleuth if you can believe it."

Somehow in all my rambling I fail to actually mention my name.

[Emjajoas]

"Hello, Boomingham," Em replies with a nod. "Things are well enough, for the most part. And what of your travels? Fruitful, I should hope."

[Pyrovisionary]

Current sign-ups for Quest #106: Devilish documents

Grimwald Gjinko, Level 16 Sage (LordoftheNoobs)

Monk Pretzel, Level 29 Paladin (Palthadric)

~ Sign-ups extended to July 30th ~

[Sandy]

~A new quest has been posted on the Quest Board (#108 by Waterbrick Down)!~

[CMP]

Atramor looked over at the quest board as another notice was posted on it. He walked down the stairs to examine - upon realizing it'd been posted by Ratabor Mossycloak, the regular frowned, scribbling his name down under Quest 108.

[Cutcobra]

I glance up as the woman points to the seat at our table, from the way her face is painted I can immediately tell what kind of woman this is. It's not hard to imagine seeing someone of that sort in Heroica, considering the kind of folk already gathered at the hall, not to mention the fact that the veterans were teaching certified courses in such...erm...

She must be trying to get Heckz, I should protect him.

I cut my thoughts short and feign ignorance to get rid of the unwanted company.

"Good God! What do you have on your face!" I gasp. "I should hope it's not contagious!"

"Intriguing," I mutter, taking up the artifact. "I'm not certain that I have space for it considering all of the other artifacts I am lugging around, but it certainly would be worth purchasing if the price is right. How much?"

"Oh," I mutter nervously as the girl takes a seat. "Alderflask, you say? Strange name. Did your father own a rare and ancient goblet of some kind? As for my name, it precedes me in most circles. I am the slayer of demons, the protector of the weak, heck, I have even been dubbed a Super Sleuth if you can believe it."

Somehow in all my rambling I fail to actually mention my name.

Heckz can't help but produce a faint smile at Pretzel's reaction to the witch, even though he was laughing like crazy on the inside.

"If you don't have space for it, then don't bother buying it. I'll give you my Garnet for 90 gold though."

Heckz offers the Garnet to Monk Pretzel for 90 gold.

[Palathadric]

I chuckle.

"I was looking for just that gem, in fact. It seems like they used to be more widely available, but most heroes are stubbornly holding onto them right now. I don't know why... 90 is a little steep, but because I like giving to charity every once in a while."

I hand Heckz the 90 gold and collect the Garnet before he can say anything else.

[Waterbrick Down]

As Heckz reaches to put the gold into his satchel he notes a slip of paper resting in his bag. It simply reads:

Help, we are trapped. Separated from Paladins, can only last a week at most. Observatory south side, only five can make the jump. Gold, treasure, whatever we have is yours, just help us, hurry!

~ Alistair Greenhood

Edited July 18, 2014 by Waterbrick Down

[Palathadric]

Seeing a new quest on the board, I look at interestedly.

Hmm, strange it has to be said.

Somehow, though, I feel drawn to the request.

They did mention paladins after all.

I signup for Quest #108 before returning to my seat.

[-obelix-]

Thalion walks into the Hall, stopping at the Quest Board, and signs his name under Quest #108.

[Cutcobra]

What the...

Heckz reaches out for a small piece of paper that should not have been in his bag. He may not know how to write properly, but he does know how to read. At least the basics.

Paelaedins... Whatever that is... blah blah blah... jump... blah blah... OOOH loot and treasure! Too bad I don't know where they are.

He walks over to the questboard, and to his surprise, the exact same note is in there.

He signs up for #108, #106 and #105.

Hmm, 'True Hero'. I like the sound of that, even though I'm already one. And demons... more demons...

[Palathadric]

As I take my seat again at the table, I notice the Spring Staff amongst Karie's possessions.

"Nice staff, are you selling?"

[Endgame]

"Tired, but still alive, Boomingham. How have you fared?

[Kintobor]

I glance up as the woman points to the seat at our table, from the way her face is painted I can immediately tell what kind of woman this is. It's not hard to imagine seeing someone of that sort in Heroica, considering the kind of folk already gathered at the hall, not to mention the fact that the veterans were teaching certified courses in such...erm...

She must be trying to get Heckz, I should protect him.

I cut my thoughts short and feign ignorance to get rid of the unwanted company.

"Good God! What do you have on your face!" I gasp. "I should hope it's not contagious!"

"Oh," I mutter nervously as the girl takes a seat. "Alderflask, you say? Strange name. Did your father own a rare and ancient goblet of some kind? As for my name, it precedes me in most circles. I am the slayer of demons, the protector of the weak, heck, I have even been dubbed a Super Sleuth if you can believe it."

Somehow in all my rambling I fail to actually mention my name.

Karie frowns at the monk, trying to stay somewhat positive. She smudges some of the makeup off her cheek, revealing her pasty skin underneath.

"It's makeup. No need to be rude about it."

Karie giggles as the monk attempts to figure out her last name.

"No, not to my knowledge. He's a business, but a carpenter by trade.

You say you... fight demons?"

Karie looks around before leaning in.

"How good are you at fighting demons? Can you, um... give me some pointers?"

She didn't know whether to mention her new title, since it wasn't anything remarkable. "School Inspector". That would strike something in her opponents; their funny bones.

[JimBee]

After some time Hybros returns to the Hall, looking quite different than he did when he had left. Now wearing a subtle grey hat and robes mimicking the oriental culture of the Ji Pei, and bandages covering all but one eye, he walked with new-found confidence. One look at the questboard was enough to stop that, though, and his breath stopped short.

There it was, just as Legonardo had said. The notice from Daneeka. And he was looking for a lost people. Hybros' head buzzed with excitement, and questions. How had Daneeka known where to look? Had he found out where the imps had been residing after all this time? And most importantly, how did he plan on getting to... wherever it was they were going, below the surface? Another question, one of doubt, nagged at the back of his mind. Was it even his people that Daneeka was referring to?

Still, it was not nearly enough to stop Hybros from signing onto Quest #107: Deeper, without hesitation.

There was much to think about, but there would be time to ponder later. For now, there was something he had to discuss with an old acquaintance who he had spotted in the Hall.

Thalion walks into the Hall, stopping at the Quest Board, and signs his name under Quest #108.

"Thalion, it has been a while." Hybros tugged on the elf's cloak to get his attention. "There is something I must tell you about... should we sit?"

[-obelix-]

"Thalion, it has been a while." Hybros tugged on the elf's cloak to get his attention. "There is something I must tell you about... should we sit?"

Thalion turns around and greets Hybros with a smile, "Ah, master Hybros, indeed it has!" His face takes a more serious look after Hybros' unfinished sentence, "Yes, yes, of course.", and he points to and empty table in the corner of the Hall. "What is it about?"

[Zepher]

"Hello, Boomingham," Em replies with a nod. "Things are well enough, for the most part. And what of your travels? Fruitful, I should hope."

"Relatively, I suppose. I've been overseas."

"Tired, but still alive, Boomingham. How have you fared?

"Very much the same," barks Boomingham with a laugh.

[Endgame]

As a new influx of heroes enters Heroica Hall, six creatures wriggle into the building, the smallest keeping the largest in line. "Largest" was something of a misnomer, though, as none of the creatures were any larger than a standard dog. However, their spiny tails were quite large, guiding their slithery movement.

The yellow one approaches the questboard, and signs it.

Current Sign-Ups for Quest #105: The Eternal Reaper

-Erdathcath Madilinas (The_Customizer)

-Masson Cour (At the request of the Sand Queen)

-Em (Emjajoas)

-Grimwald Gjinko (LordOfTheNoobs)

-Monk Pretzel (Palathadric)

-Alexander Vandangant (Wedge09)

-Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

-Heckz Brutenhal (Cutcobra)

-Punii the Progg (At the request of the Sand Queen)

The tiny Proggs scatter the hall, skittering around in the hall.

"Ooh! Heroica hall!"

"There's heroes!"

"Well, duh, of course there is..."

"What lovely architecture..."

"And stuff!"

The runtish one practically collapses, gasping for breath.

"Oogh, not sure what was *wheeze* tougher... Getting here, dragging that stool to the *cough* questboard, or watching them... But, wow, Heroica hall! I forgot just how *wheeze* big this place was...!"

All would be up for a chat if approached, by the looks of it.

------------------------------------------------------

"Very much the same," barks Boomingham with a laugh.

I laugh as well.

"I'm sure we all can, but it's good to be back... By Helvetia, felt like i talked to you three months ago, Boomingham, but it must've been almost a year at this point... Time flies, and in more ways than one. Pull up a seat, and we can attempt catching up."

I grimace at the various worms skittering along the hall.

"Well, aren't those little critters... unique, shall we say..."

Edited July 22, 2014 by Endgame

[Cutcobra]

Heckz sees the imp, Hybros, walk into the Hall. Then he sees the tiny little monsters enter.

"See, this is what I meant by smelly creepy people. If I were a veteran, not anyone could enter this hall."

He says to Karie and Monk Pretzel.

[Emjajoas]

Em turns, not managing to stifle the grin that spreads across his features. "If you'll excuse me," he say apologetically, nodding to Boomingham and Sorrow.

He makes quick steps towards the familiar group of proggs, seeing them split, he goes straight for the runt.

"Hello!" he exclaims, and though it was hardly louder than his normal monotone, his voice was raised. He quickly lowered it to his usual tone. "Welcome to the Hall. It's great to see you again; how are things with the colony?"

Edited July 19, 2014 by emjajoas

[Palathadric]

"It's makeup. No need to be rude about it."

"Why would one feel the need to cover up the natural yellow of his or her skin. It is a shame. Yellow is what separates us from the less advanced species. Of course, some would argue that white is a higher form of yellow, but anyone can paint his or her face white, even someone at the...how can I say it...even a demon can. Generic yellow though...there is no disguising it."

Karie giggles as the monk attempts to figure out her last name.

"No, not to my knowledge. He's a business, but a carpenter by trade.

"So...how did your family come to inherit such a name as 'Alderflask'?" I wonder aloud.

You say you... fight demons?"

Karie looks around before leaning in.

"How good are you at fighting demons? Can you, um... give me some pointers?"

She didn't know whether to mention her new title, since it wasn't anything remarkable. "School Inspector". That would strike something in her opponents; their funny bones.

I sit back in my chair and study Karie for a few good moments as if weighing up her intelligence and how she what she would do with the knowledge given.

Then, slowly, I lean forward.

"Demons are highly varied, just like humans are. There is no one way to fight a demon. It takes years of study to learn about the various arts demons employ in their...attacks? For instance, their are the spiritual attacks, the mental attacks, the physical attacks, and...the ethereal attacks. Those are the four main factions, although I've heard some even trim it down to just physical and spiritual. It's hard to just explain how to fight a demon, because it really depends on the kind of attack. For instance, when one counters a physical attack, it is a rather glorious task for the results are visible. However, the spiritual attacks are not visible and do not rely on the sudden manifestations of power than the physical attacks rely on. Therefore, they are more subtle and unless one has a very good eye for them, they can be almost impossible to notice. Mental attacks are similar to the spiritual ones, but usually slightly more noticeable and often the results are a little longer lasting even if they are properly dealt with. For instance, since coming to Heroica, I have fought demons in almost every single one of my quests. In my first quest I had to prevent a demon from plaguing a village. By the way, when quests are written about destroying demons and the like, it's almost always referring to physical manifestations of the demons and sometimes ethereal.

Anyway, in that quest I used the raw power of divine healing to destroy the enemy and send it into the pits of hell.

In my second quest we were also fighting a physical manifestation of a demon, but this time it was manifested in the form of a beast, a terrifying beast no less..."

I see Punii enter the room.

"What do you know, I picked up that trinket on that quest. Can't say I did it on purpose though."

Heckz sees the imp, Hybros, walk into the Hall. Then he sees the tiny little monsters enter.

"See, this is what I meant by smelly creepy people. If I were a veteran, not anyone could enter this hall."

He says to Karie and Monk Pretzel.

"Well said, Heckz! Well said. As I was saying, I have to take the blame for originally bringing that little shrimp to the hall, but in my defense, I was not the one who hid him in my cart and I had absolutely no idea that he was present, so what could I do? Really?"

I turn back to Karie.

"Anyway, as I was saying, in my next quest I had to cure someone who was undergoing a mental attack. That was different altogether. When the attack is not manifested physically, then dealing with it can be very tricky. Sometimes, you need to lay the person's life on the line because there are times when, in trying to kill the demon someone else gets hurt or dies, but from my experience, it is never wise to let the demons alone in those cases, because more often than not, the person sucked into their trap will suffer more in life under a demon than in death. Sometimes you have to take the risk. What I despise is the way those Phoenix Essences fail to work when you need them the most...anyway. Fighting demons is a tricky business and a huge subject in itself. ...Are there any specifics you would like to know though?"