Heroica RPG - Heroica Hall

[KotZ]

"You're more than welcome with us, Miderun'l Kiray says to the Orc.

"So the party for a trip to the fields looks like myself, Germ, Miderun, anyone else? Na'I'm, I think you would make a great addition."

"Sorry, Monk and Hybros. Still waiting for the right weapon to use this on."

[Palathadric]

Timothy sets down his mead and walks to the Monk. "I would love to take your offer, Artisan. I would like a mead and a mulled wine for 10 gold."

"I apologize, I must have misspoke. I can get you a discount that will come to you paying 85% of the price. Not 85% off the price. Excuse my hastiness."

[Rider Raider]

"I apologize, I must have misspoke. I can get you a discount that will come to you paying 85% of the price. Not 85% off the price. Excuse my hastiness."

"Ah. Ok. How much for a mead?"

[Palathadric]

Thirte...look, I'll give you one for your ten gold if you want it. You look like a good lad."

[Rider Raider]

Thirte...look, I'll give you one for your ten gold if you want it. You look like a good lad."

"Thanks. After my first quest, I'll pay you back." Edited April 7, 2016 by Rider Raider

[Duvors]

Goliath gently places the dwarf down,

"SORRY."

He then begins to wonder where Fellcrest is. He had never been outside the confines of his masters' workshop until now,

"GOLIATH. NOT. KNOW. GOLIATH. SAY NO."

"Ah well, worth a shot."

There was an awkward pause.

"Soo... what brings you here exactly?"

[Yzalirk]

"Ah well, worth a shot."

There was an awkward pause.

"Soo... what brings you here exactly?"

"MASTER. GONE. GOLIATH. FIND. MILK. OF. KINDNESS."

He pauses. It appears as if he forgot to mention something. He taps the top of his hull which emits a loud noise of clashing metal.

[Palathadric]

I hand Timothy Evergreen a Mead.

[Asphalt]

The new ones always overlook one thing, you tire easily. Take this as well.

Vindsval Hands Timothy Evergreen a Tonic.

[Rider Raider]

I hand Timothy Evergreen a Mead.

I hand Monk Pretzel 10 gold.

The new ones always overlook one thing, you tire easily. Take this as well.

Vindsval Hands Timothy Evergreen a Tonic.

Thanks. I probably should have thought about that. Edited April 7, 2016 by Rider Raider

[Enceladus]

"I like to think dead foes is a a kind of health in itself," interjected Miderun from across the table nearby, who had taken a few odds and ends from her pack, including the enormous, plated Vest of Faded Trials. "I would join you, if you are looking for more blades. Only by getting stronger can I hope to achieve my goals."

"Lady Miderun!" Na'im says aghast "I thought we were mercenaries, or heroes or whatever not psychotic killing machines!"

You should less than favor with the god of this city and is followers, what path then, do you walk?

"A minor God, well an angel really: the red angel, a fallen angel who chose the line of the paladin he served-that is the noble house of Fenari-over the lord of light, when the paladin he served fell in combat. He became something of a protecter and patron of Fenario in legend, but he is largely forgotten nowdays." With good reason he wants to add-but he doubts the Paladin will think highly of his misgivings about the Red angel

"You are a paladin are you not? I suppose you are familiar with all this talk of angels, being able to summon one yourself." Na'im takes another sip of his drink

A wanderer travels far, seen much, and knows many. He is storyteller, news bringing, hope restorer, he is warrior, death, and healer. To The Wanderer, no place is far, no thing unseen, no person unknown. All paths have been set before him, and all destinations known. What then could be a greater title to aspire to than wanderer, and what could be more constant than The Path.

"Well put my friend-a master of words as well as a master of the sword it would appear." Na'im says admiringly-there were few people he disliked more than those who could not maintain intelligent conversation

Be careful Naim, it would not do well to drink to health, only to drown oneself in the attempt. All is steps behind.

"Ah, yes thank you master Vindisval…I simply got a bit carried away." Na'im says weakly "Not being as young as I used to be probably dosent help either." he adds

"So the party for a trip to the fields looks like myself, Germ, Miderun, anyone else? Na'I'm, I think you would make a great addition."

Na'im looks up from his drink and raises an eyebrow "The fields of glory you say? I may as well I suppose-I could do with seeing some greenery after the Badlands of Spelesia-and the loot from the fields of course, I wouldn’t mind seeing that either. Why, we can make it a reunion of sorts, after our spelesian expedition!" Naim grins "Will we need to do any shopping before we leave?"

[KotZ]

Na'im looks up from his drink and raises an eyebrow "The fields of glory you say? I may as well I suppose-I could do with seeing some greenery after the Badlands of Spelesia-and the loot from the fields of course, I wouldn’t mind seeing that either. Why, we can make it a reunion of sorts, after our spelesian expedition!" Naim grins "Will we need to do any shopping before we leave?"

"Great!" she exclaims. She goes over to the sign up and and:

Sign ups: Unlimited Quest: Fields of Glory

Kiray Nastayo (kingofthezempk)

Miderun (callmepie)

Na'im (enceledaus)

Germ (samuraiturtle)

[Flipz]

Eubric, Number 14 Heron St.

"Arrrgh!" Noel growls as his legs go out from under him for the third time. He hits the ground hard, but the only thing injured is his pride. "How are you doing that?"

"Practice," Arthur replies, stowing his spear and offering his brother a hand to his feet. "Again?"

Noel waves him off, the seventeen-year-old mage dusting himself off as he climbs back to his feet. "Nah, I'm good." Both brothers lean against the wall of the mist-filled basement, sweating profusely. Noel sweeps his ever-present bangs out of his face, but the sweat-slicked hair just flops back into place. "I don't get it," he complains. "This should be easy. What gives?"

"You're trying too hard." Arthur tries not to let his amusement show, be he can't help the small smile that slips onto his face. "You're missing the whole point of the exercise."

"Mind running that one by me again, bro?"

"You keep lashing out randomly, expecting chance to mold itself to your whim. It won't happen, no matter how much you learn."

"So what's the point of all this?"

Arthur puts his hand to his chin, considering how he ought to explain. Miirym alights nearby, for now keeping her elemental breath to a light wisp so as to let the room start to clear.

"The point is to shift your focus. You can't just attack nothing and expect to hit, you have to adapt yourself to the conditions and consider how to make them serve your goals."

Noel nods along intently, as if he understands. Miirym snorts.

"<You are a clever mage, Noel Ziegfried, but unskilled in the art of deception.>"

"You saying you're better?"

"Settle down, you two," the Dragoon warns. "Look. When you came to me asking about Chaos, I figured you were looking for the same thing pretty much everyone who starts to dabble ends up looking for: power. And yes, Chaos is powerful. But it's not this miraculous rule-breaking power pool that lets you re-write fate. If anything, it's the opposite."

"At the risk of repeating myself...so what's the point? If you're not gonna teach me to cast chaos--"

Arthur shakes his head and waves his arms to cut off Noel's train of thought. "You're still missing the point. Chaos isn't like reading from a Scroll or shooting Ether through a gem. It's not a magical 'thing', it's a way of existence. It's not about changing how events happen, it's about changing your response to events so that any event, no matter how unexpected, ends up helping you in the end."

"...man, that doesn't sound simple at all."

Arthur does laugh this time. "It's not. If you're looking for quick and easy power, go buy yourself a Mead." Noel lobs a Sapphire at him, but the ex-mage easily catches the half-hearted throw. "Hey, watch it, these things cost me a small fortune in Etheria."

A knock at the door interrupts them.

"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"

"Nah, no big, Auntie M."

The jovial presence of Merryweather Ziegfried sweeps into the room, the Weather Mage momentarily taken aback by the still-clearing haze.

"My goodness, what have you boys been getting up to? If I didn't know better I'd say my nephew had decided to take up his old profession."

"Hello, Aunt Merryweather. Well, Bombast did offer to try and train Miirym, but she turned him down."

"<Indeed. The offer was generous, and tempting, but there are more important matters to investigate here.>"

"Shame. Would have been interesting to have a Dragon in the circle. But, important matters are important matters..."

"Speaking of which..." Arthur's mood grows serious. "Were you able to find the records we were looking for?"

Merryweather nods glumly. "I'm afraid there's not much. They seemed to stay involved more in matters of myth than in magic. The closest other library with records going back that far is in--"

"--Heroica Hall," Arthur finishes for her.

Merryweather nods in confirmation. "Besides, they were the last people to see them alive..."

Arthur exhales heavily. Miirym trots over to stare into her partner's eyes.

"<Arthur...I know you have your disagreements with the management of the Hall. But this...is important to me.>"

Arthur seems to be struggling to say something, but can't quite find the words. "Miirym, I...I know. I understand. More than you'd think." Miirym sees him glance at Noel. "I don't know where I'd be right now if I'd never met my family."

"<But...?>"

"But I'm a little worried about what we'll find. They...weren't exactly the most friendly of spirits."

Miirym considers this for a moment. "<Arthur...>"

"Look," Noel interrupts, causing both Arthur and Miirym to jump, "obviously this means a lot to you. I know what it's like not knowing your father. If learning about him will make you feel better, then tell my know-it-all brother to nut up and help you find out already!" Noel punctuates his point by staring pointedly at an uncomfortable Arthur.

"<...Well. I believe that settles that, does it not?>"

Arthur slowly nods, packing up his gear. As he and Miirym are about to leave, however, Merryweather stops them.

"Mind the weather, you two. I've seldom seen a storm so strange--it's as if it wants to roll in and dissipate at the same time. It's not natural, that's for certain. Stay safe."

Arthur silently nods in acknowledgement. Miirym, too, dips her head.

"<Your warning is well appreciated, Miss Merryweather.>"

"That's Aunt Merryweather to you, missy. And I'm no Sister of Danab, mind."

With another, more sheepish nod, Miirym follows Arthur out of the house, and soon takes the lead.

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

It is not long before the Dragon and her partner reach the great hallmark of Heroica, but already she could spot delays approaching, in the form of two Veterans approaching from different vectors. With a snort of annoyance, the Dragon alters her descent, swooping in for a landing in front of Arthur just in time for the Falconer and the Dragonlord to arrive.

"Ah, Mr. Regulus, just the man I've been hoping to see--ah. Hello Falconer, wasn't expecting you here."

"Weren't you?" Falconer asks politely. Unusually so, it seemed to Miirym, but she did not have a human's perspective. "I was just coming to ask Mr. Ziegfried if he might reconsider his decision to leave our organization."

Dragonlord clears his throat uncomfortably. "Mr. Ziegfried. Right." This time Miirym could easily detect the Veteran's displeasure. Undeterred, however, he continued on. "I was actually about to ask him the same thing. In these divided times, it's important that Heroica remain united."

"Yes, I certainly agree. And having a representative of one of Eubric's most time-honoured Houses in Heroica will do much to reinforce our relations with them."

"Yes, especially one who has so so faithfully served the Houses across the aisle. You know, Arthur, just the other day I had a discussion with Noctus and Jun about your service in--"

At last Miirym sees the exchange for what it had really been all along: two hatchlings, struggling back-and-forth over a slab of meat. Her nostrils flare as thick black fog flows out of them, swirling aggressively as she fans her wings and rears back on her hind legs.

"<Enough!>" Miirym declares. "<I will not have my mission delayed by petty squabbles over pointless politics. My father left your organization for a reason, and I will not see him bullied back into it!>"

Falconer seems taken aback, though the effect is difficult to notice behind her mask. "No, no, I would never--"

"Miirym, you've known me from the moment you hatched, you wouldn't really think--"

Miirym waves both off. "<It is not your intentions that matter here, but your actions. Now, Arthur and I are here to seek information from your Library on the Dragon who sired me. You will stand aside and allow me access.>"

Hestia hesitates, but Dragonlord stands firm.

"Look, I really don't mean to exclude the two you, but we really do need to talk to Arthur. If he really won't rejoin, I can understand, but if he's going to start poaching our missions we really can't--"

Miirym snorts and rolls her eyes. "<Mortals. Very well. If one of us must be a Hero to gain access, then I will join.>"

"In name only," Arthur quickly amends. "I won't have anything to do with those protective spells of yours." To Miirym's eye, the ex-mage appears troubled, yet strangely happy.

"<Indeed,>" Miirym quickly confirms.

Falconer studies the pair with concern. "Are you certain? I will not accept the idea of Heroes being press-ganged into service--"

Dragonlord quickly waves the Falconer off, to the latter's annoyance. "It's fine, it's fine. I know Miirym. She liked being a Hero. Right, Miirym?"

"<...It is true.>"

"Wonderful! Well, in that case, welcome back to Heroica, both of you! I'm sure you'll find the Hall just as you left it. Anyway, I do have important business to attend to, so if you'll excuse me, Arthur, Falconer."

"Dragonlord." Falconer watches her fellow Veteran depart. She studies Miirym once more. "Good luck." And then she is gone as well.

Miirym returns her attention to Arthur. "<Are you all right?>"

"Me? Are you all right?"

"<I am fine. I did not lie in saying I've enjoyed my experience in Heroica. Had our current circumstance not arisen, I likely would have asked to rejoin in a few years.>" Miirym pauses. "<I am more concerned with you. You are the one who decided to leave. Are you not...disappointed at having to rejoin?>"

Arthur shakes his head. "No. Well...a little. I did like spending more time with our family, especially after our little 'vacation' between Summer's Sun and Grogmas. But I left for your sake, to keep you safe, so I could focus on you instead of what missions I wanted to choose, which weapons I wanted to have honed next. I think we both know how badly I neglected you on our voyage around the world."

"<Do not be ridiculous. You've given me the space I've needed in order to grow. And now it seems we will be getting more such opportunities.>"

Arthur sighs, but then slowly nods his consent. "All right. If you're really okay with this."

"<I am.>"

"Then let's go be Heroes."

And with that, the pair step back into the history of Heroica Hall.

[Endgame]

I notice the ex-mage and his dragon wander in.

"Arthur! It has been too long. How have you been? What brought you back?

Edited April 8, 2016 by Endgame

[samurai-turtle]

"Great!" she exclaims. She goes over to the sign up and and:

Sign ups: Unlimited Quest: Fields of Glory

Kiray Nastayo (kingofthezempk)

Miderun (callmepie)

Na'im (enceledaus)

Germ (samuraiturtle)

I think you should keep looking for some more people. Besides I am not 100% sure if I want to go into the "fields" right away. I guess what I am saying I should be a "back up".

[Rider Raider]

"Great!" she exclaims. She goes over to the sign up and and:

Sign ups: Unlimited Quest: Fields of Glory

Kiray Nastayo (kingofthezempk)

Miderun (callmepie)

Na'im (enceledaus)

Germ (samuraiturtle)

"Well, even though I can't come, good luck!"

[samurai-turtle]

Mr. Monk did you get me note I left you.

As Germ gets ready to give him, his Shrunken (WP:5), Ruby, Wrench (WP:3) and 187 Gold.

Do you got and questions (about the order).

Then Germ goes to a quite corner to try to put on his "Shikokku's Stealth Suit". As he waits for Mr. Monk to get his things he ask him to get for him.

[KotZ]

"Er, well alright." She updates it to...

Sign ups: Unlimited Quest: Fields of Glory

Kiray Nastayo (kingofthezempk)

Miderun (callmepie)

Na'im (enceledaus)

[Asphalt]

Fields of Glory Sign ups will be open until Monday

Sign ups: Unlimited Quest: Fields of Glory

Kiray Nastayo (kingofthezempk)

Miderun (callmepie)

Na'im (enceledaus)

Then Germ goes to a quite corner to try to put on his "Shikokku's Stealth Suit". As he waits for Mr. Monk to get his things he ask him to get for him.

Vindsval sees the "Stealth Suit" as Germ pulls it out of his pack.

That is a very interesting garment Master Germ. Would you be willing to part with it? Say 150 gold coins?

[samurai-turtle]

Vindsval sees the "Stealth Suit" as Germ pulls it out of his pack.

That is a very interesting garment Master Germ. Would you be willing to part with it? Say 150 gold coins?

Looking at Vindsval.

Sure, if you want it that bad. I am having trouble getting this thing to fix me right, any ways.

Tossing Vindsval the "Shikokku's Stealth Suit".

[Asphalt]

Many thanks, it may be of use.

[CMP]

"Lady Miderun!" Na'im says aghast "I thought we were mercenaries, or heroes or whatever not psychotic killing machines!"

"Forgive me if I'm not feeling very much like a hero after Spesiala," retorted Miderun. "The stronger my sword arm is, the better to serve my needs. I am surprised more people are not signing up, a lot of you could use the training. Very stringy." She and nods at Na'im, still polishing the bulky set of armor on the table. "Besides. Fighting is more calming than dealing with sar-cand ever could be."

Edited April 8, 2016 by CallMePie

[Duvors]

"MASTER. GONE. GOLIATH. FIND. MILK. OF. KINDNESS."

He pauses. It appears as if he forgot to mention something. He taps the top of his hull which emits a loud noise of clashing metal.

"Okay, that's as good a reason as any I guess. I'll... see you around then."

Throlar moved away from the massive automaton in a sort of daze, wondering where on earth the thing could've come from.

[Zepher]

"Well good thing I don't intend to sell it," she replies. She accepts the outstretched hand. "Kiray Nastayo. Never expected to meet a lord working for Heroica. Here I thought most of us were wanderers or vagrants or something else."

"Normally you'd be right. I was a Lord as well as a wanderer for a while. Now I've been reinstated as a Lord. A King, actually." He smiles. "I'm the Sungold Alliance's nomination for King. Whatever that means. Probably should go give them a visit sooner rather than later."

Boomingham glances at the door as Arthur returns. He chuckles under his breath. Turning back to face the bar he catches sight of a young Orc. Not Cronk...

"You'll have to forgive me, Hybros, but I've got to put off our drink for a minute or two." He winks. "Recon."

He strides over to the Orc is gruffly offers his hand. "Lord Lawrence Boomingham." He sits down opposite the Orc, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Are you native to Eubric, or from somewhere else? I'm hoping to visit Baltarok, but... I don't know a whole lot about it, I've come to realize."

[CMP]

He strides over to the Orc is gruffly offers his hand. "Lord Lawrence Boomingham." He sits down opposite the Orc, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Are you native to Eubric, or from somewhere else? I'm hoping to visit Baltarok, but... I don't know a whole lot about it, I've come to realize."

The young orc looked up at the aged ex-king. "I am Miderun. You are signing up for the quest going there, I suppose." She sized up Boomingham as though evaluating his suitability to assist the orcs of her homeland. "I hail from Baltarok myself, actually. It seems there are a lot of city orcs here....which is a shame. Baltarok is a land of old glories and-" her mouth briefly twitched into a smirk, but she didn't stop. "-harsh truths. Life is demanding and difficult, but unlike in this ..." Miderun paused, struggling to describe Eubric, in short, with a somewhat limited Common vocabulary. "....mess, the weak are not allowed to wither and die. They become stronger. They are forged into warriors. Greed and deceit are not......it simply does not exist there and I don't know why the rest of the world is infested with it. And I understand why Eubric is the home of heroes, because if it did not have them, it would destroy itself."

"There is dirt and empty wastes and always you can hear the constant clash of blades somewhere. Everyone knows and respects one another but there is no end to the challenges faced each day, at least where I lived. The desert will kill you, as will the mountains, and the creatures living there. Yet there is honesty in all these things. You will not wonder if your pocket is about to be picked, or if the thug you passed will stab you in the back, or if you must keep your hand on your blade when you walk through an alley. Baltarok will kill you, but it will not betray you."

Miderun took a long draught from her mug of grog, and frowned slightly.

"And when you leave to find other lands, you will wish all the world was like it."