Heroica RPG - Heroica Hall

[Mencot]

Current Sign-ups for Quest #154

Na'im (Enceladus)

Addock-Zo Obbex (Goliath)

Annienal (Kintobor)

Petaldan (Palathadric)

Zannaquim (Flipz)

[JimBee]

Naim nods "Ah, well that I can understand-when I first came upon the shores of Uland I heard tall tales of armed robbers lurking in every alley, and dastardly gangsters that kept the city in their wretched grip through the exercise of terror. Now, while that may be true, it is dangerous in a different way too, and one far worse at that, with the situation with the houses. Still it keeps Herocia in business does it not?"

Naim chuckles into his drink "You have that right-I take it you are familiar with our insufferable neighbors then? I returned to Spelesia very recently on a quest, and alas, things had not changed one bit!"

Na'im reads the new sign on the quest board "A simple quest sounds good to me-you will be signing up too I presume? he asks Jinnipher "Although this ages quest givers seem to getting poorer and poorer these days...100 gold!" Na'im shakes his head, exasperated "They will get away with offering us freshly baked cakes next!"

Nonetheless, Na'im signs up for quest 154

"That's the idea. And some lizard I just ended wanted to wipe that all away." She shook her head with a grin. "There's profit in all this chaos. Not that it can really go on much longer but I'll take what I can get. Maybe I'll stick around long enough to see the city tear itself apart. Or pull itself back together."

"I've met a Star Elf or two in my day. We elves are a stubborn bunch, although that crowd could certainly be less snotty about it."

Jinnipher peered at the quest board. "Seems simple enough. I like simple, especially after the quest I just came back from. I'm going to make a visit to the old Copper Fox first, see if that old man still has any good moves." She signed up for Quest #154 and raised an eyebrow at the Fenarian. "I take it you're some sort of spellcaster? Most elves these days are, if you consider yourself to be one."

[Waterbrick Down]

Boris studies the quest board. "Hmmm, can't say it isn't straight and to the point. But must be something odd, otherwise they wouldn't be shelling out the gold for heroes." The cleric signs his name for Quest #154.

Edited September 6, 2016 by Waterbrick Down

[Enceladus]

"That's the idea. And some lizard I just ended wanted to wipe that all away." She shook her head with a grin. "There's profit in all this chaos. Not that it can really go on much longer but I'll take what I can get. Maybe I'll stick around long enough to see the city tear itself apart. Or pull itself back together."

"Really?" Naim laughs partially to ease the tension, as the thought of Rubric being destroyed while he was away perturbed him greatly "Much seems to have passed while I was away in the fields…I dare say this lizard did not succeed?"

Na'im raises his glass "It is good to see an elf who thinks that way at any rate-too many of our kindred have sunk into the old ways of honour and pride in response to an ever changing world...yet it pleases me to meet an elf who sees the city as an opportunity not a place to be shunned and razed."

Jinnipher peered at the quest board. "Seems simple enough. I like simple, especially after the quest I just came back from. I'm going to make a visit to the old Copper Fox first, see if that old man still has any good moves." She signed up for Quest #154 and raised an eyebrow at the Fenarian. "I take it you're some sort of spellcaster? Most elves these days are, if you consider yourself to be one."

Na'im looks up interestedly "Copper fox must have been around a good while if you have memories of him. I dare say he is still in business-do you have a path in mind?"

"Ah, but who can blame us? We have the blood of ancients in our veins. None of those human, dwarven or other whatever you may spellcasters can compare to a spellcaster of elvish decent, who has grasped the true extent of their inherent powers!"

"But me? I am just a humble cleric…an ex cleric if I am honest, for I hold no position in my former order, but I still have some healing power left in my old bones it seems." sighed Naim

[Yzalirk]

While pacing around the hall, Addok-Zo looks at the quest board again to collect more information regarding the mission he could be selected for. Though not as intelligent as some of the others in the hall, it was not hard for him to figure out the task was an escort mission, he grinned and thought to himself, <Just like the old days.>

He could not help but overhear the cleric speak but was rather intrigued to hear him say that he was an ex-cleric. So, he somewhat interrupts rudely but does not pay any attention to that. "I don't believe I've encountered someone with the likes of you. You speak like an elf... sort of look like one. Curious. Ehhh, whatever... anyway, an ex-cleric? How does that work? Aren't you supposed to be like some sort of priest or something?"

[Zepher]

Miderun does a double take as she sees a figure slide through the shadows. Her hand moves to Orokuul's hilt noticeably...but she stops immediately upon recognizing the stranger's totes legit mohawk. She blinks at the figure she hasn't seen since the disaster in Spesiala.

"...Bobby? What are you doing back there?"

"What do you mean?" rasps a dead voice from behind the mask. "I'm a hero, you dig? Gotta hero it up." He gives a thumbs up, and scuttles out of the shadows hesitantly.

"You mind if I sit here, sis? Been chilling out at home for some time, gotta get back into the groove, know what I mean? What's the haps?" The voice and eyes behind the mask border on expressionless.

[JimBee]

"Really?" Naim laughs partially to ease the tension, as the thought of Rubric being destroyed while he was away perturbed him greatly "Much seems to have passed while I was away in the fields…I dare say this lizard did not succeed?"

Na'im raises his glass "It is good to see an elf who thinks that way at any rate-too many of our kindred have sunk into the old ways of honour and pride in response to an ever changing world...yet it pleases me to meet an elf who sees the city as an opportunity not a place to be shunned and razed."

Jinnipher pantomimed looking around. "We're still here," she said with a shrug. "Really he was no match for me. An ancient old thing who was way out of his depth. I'll never be like that when I grow old."

"Uh, thanks."

Na'im looks up interestedly "Copper fox must have been around a good while if you have memories of him. I dare say he is still in business-do you have a path in mind?"

"Ah, but who can blame us? We have the blood of ancients in our veins. None of those human, dwarven or other whatever you may spellcasters can compare to a spellcaster of elvish decent, who has grasped the true extent of their inherent powers!"

"But me? I am just a humble cleric…an ex cleric if I am honest, for I hold no position in my former order, but I still have some healing power left in my old bones it seems." sighed Naim

Jinnipher shrugged and leaned back in her chair. "Hitting things harder would be nice. I had a lot of faith in this sword but I'll need something more powerful sooner or later. It'd be effective if I could come up with my own poison but witchery and healing aren't really my thing, unlike you it seems. So what order did you get kicked out of?" She let out a yawn.

[Mencot]

Current Sign-ups for Quest #154

Na'im (Enceladus)

Addok-Zo Obbex (Goliath)

Annienal (Kintobor)

Petaldan (Palathadric)

Zannaquim (Flipz)

Jinnipher (Jimbee)

Boris (WBD)

Edited September 7, 2016 by Mencot

[Yzalirk]

OoC: Mencot, it's Addok-Zo, not Addock-Zo.

[Enceladus]

He could not help but overhear the cleric speak but was rather intrigued to hear him say that he was an ex-cleric. So, he somewhat interrupts rudely but does not pay any attention to that. "I don't believe I've encountered someone with the likes of you. You speak like an elf... sort of look like one. Curious.

Naim closes his eyes for a few moments before he addresses the brusque stranger "Well when I was young, all peoples would speak as thus…but that was a long time ago, when Uland was still a tranquil plateau and the the continent of Merucriton had not yet been sunk. Err…sorry to bring that up." he says apologetically to Jinnipher "But I love old Spelesian…it is a marvellous dialect and I feel it is every Spelesian's duty to keep it alive."

"Me? I am Fenarian. We were once one with the star elves of Spelesia, but during the great schism between the house of Fenari and the house of Alpeith my house-that is house Thamir-sided with the Fenari. Alas in his eagerness to defeat the house of Alpeith and their allies, Lord Angmar Fenari unearthed an ancient artefact that corrupted our once fair features turning us into the creatures you see before you today. Such is the price we pay to hold out against the Star elf foe." Naim takes a long draught of his wine "Does that satisfy your question friend? Speaking of which I cannot say I am familiar with your kind either."

Jinnipher shrugged and leaned back in her chair. "Hitting things harder would be nice. I had a lot of faith in this sword but I'll need something more powerful sooner or later.

Naim laughs "Hitting things harder works most of the time in my experience-after all, one cannot plan for every eventuality. It is often the simple approach that yields the best results."

Jinnipher pantomimed looking around. "We're still here," she said with a shrug. "Really he was no match for me. An ancient old thing who was way out of his depth. I'll never be like that when I grow old."

"Uh, thanks."

Na'im laughs "Of course of course…my bad." he coughs into his gloved palm "Well I suppose I should say ‘good job’."

"We all plan for what we shall be when we grow old." he observes admiring his wine glass in the light "But age will always catch up on us regardless-do not be so sure of your future."

"Don’t mention it." he adds with a wave of his hand "I recently endured a trip back to my homeland on a quest-the people there are just as foolish and petty as ever. It is refreshing to meet an elf who sees matters from a more modern perspective." he says bitterly

Ehhh, whatever... anyway, an ex-cleric? How does that work? Aren't you supposed to be like some sort of priest or something?"

So what order did you get kicked out of?" She let out a yawn.

Naim narrows his eyes "Well that would be a...a rather long tale to say the least…do you two have time to spare?"

"You mind if I sit here, sis? Been chilling out at home for some time, gotta get back into the groove, know what I mean? What's the haps?" The voice and eyes behind the mask border on expressionless.

"Young master bucks!" Na'im cries are…are you well?" he hastily looks down at his toes

he doubted he would ever be able to look upon the rouges face again without feeling guilty about the encounter in the lost paths

Edited September 7, 2016 by Enceladus

[Asphalt]

"Vindsval, please, sit. I'm in need of good company and those who can provide it!" Karie beckoned over, happy to see her new friend.

A Pleasure Mistress, It does me well to see you returned. How fare your Husband and Bound Brother?

"Paladin?" Miderun outlasted Vindsval's hug, no small task, and sat down, looking a bit suspicious now. "That word does not fit you. I know what a paladin is, and you are not one. Takanvy is the word for 'warrior healer' and I like that better. But your Wanderer seems like he is of the right mind." She shrugged. "This place need to be taught strength more than anyone. No king is going to solve their problems. Not even Tarokai could fix this kind of corruption. Maybe they need a less...." Miderun paused in the middle of laying her massive blade down on the table. "...a more...gentle hand. If so, then you are the one to do it, Vindsval."

"Me? No. But a shield makes a nice counterbalance. And it might prevent this." She tugged at the bandages ensconcing her right arm. "I am not so reckless these days...but I am told I can become somewhat angry, and the Copper Fox, the tartirn of this Hall, he taught me to use it."

This is not the first time I have heard you speak the word Paladin as if it were a slur little sister. I vow to you that I will prove myself and my calling to be of a different mettle. I will be a champion not only of the people of this city but that of people of any color, be it yellow, green, brown or that not yet discovered. I will bear your title of Takanvy with pride. Perhaps I will have opportunity to bring the Paladins which have wronged you or yours to count for their crimes.

Edited September 7, 2016 by Asphalt

[CMP]

This is not the first time I have heard you speak the word Paladin as if it were a slur little sister. I vow to you that I will prove myself and my calling to be of a different mettle. I will be a champion not only of the people of this city but that of people of any color, be it yellow, green, brown or that not yet discovered. I will bear your title of Takanvy with pride. Perhaps I will have opportunity to bring the Paladins which have wronged you or yours to count for their crimes.

"The paladins that wronged us are long dead. It will not change what they are."

"But you will be better than them, Vindsval. That I know."

"What do you mean?" rasps a dead voice from behind the mask. "I'm a hero, you dig? Gotta hero it up." He gives a thumbs up, and scuttles out of the shadows hesitantly.

"You mind if I sit here, sis? Been chilling out at home for some time, gotta get back into the groove, know what I mean? What's the haps?" The voice and eyes behind the mask border on expressionless.

Miderun stares at the husk of her friend.

"Bobby? You...said..." she trails off, distracted by the utter nothing behind his voice. Hers hardens. "You said in Spesiala a demon did this to you. Do you maybe...have...." Miderun's gaze turn into a furious glare quite suddenly. "Tarok gauzn iiv, Bobby, di nazarzh sar, what could it ever-" she looks away from the soulless mask. Unable or unwilling. It hardly matters. "Why did you do this?"

[Asphalt]

Then I will see that their deeds are overshadowed and forgotten.

​Scowling slightly when he hears Miderun speak of bobby, but not seeing the young man he knew once upon a time he squints and looks more closely. His breath is taken by the change in the lad.

Bobby, his voice comes out thin and choked, What has happened to you my young friend?

[Yzalirk]

Naim closes his eyes for a few moments before he addresses the brusque stranger "Well when I was young, all peoples would speak as thus…but that was a long time ago, when Uland was still a tranquil plateau and the the continent of Merucriton had not yet been sunk. Err…sorry to bring that up." he says apologetically to Jinnipher "But I love old Spelesian…it is a marvellous dialect and I feel it is every Spelesian's duty to keep it alive."

"Me? I am Fenarian. We were once one with the star elves of Spelesia, but during the great schism between the house of Fenari and the house of Alpeith my house-that is house Thamir-sided with the Fenari. Alas in his eagerness to defeat the house of Alpeith and their allies, Lord Angmar Fenari unearthed an ancient artefact that corrupted our once fair features turning us into the creatures you see before you today. Such is the price we pay to hold out against the Star elf foe." Naim takes a long draught of his wine "Does that satisfy your question friend? Speaking of which I cannot say I am familiar with your kind either."

"I suppose that's the price of greed, bummer. But I know how it feels... to be different." He coughs. "Fenarians you say? Interesting. Can't say I met one until now." He places his right arm over his chest with his left arm to his side and feet together.

"Your honesty baffles me... to say the least. I'm just not used to someone being so open about themselves. That's not the way of my people nor my past employers. I suppose you should know a bit about me."

"My name is Addok-Zo Obbex and this ugly mug you see before you is known as a Wakorian. I don't know where Spesialia is but my homeland is Abra. It's a vast desert wasteland but there are many treasures to be found there if the searing sand storms don't kill ya. Old bits and pieces to be salvaged and reused, especially the day when the mechanical-men attacked. Killed a lot of us warriors that day. That was many years ago before I became a freelancer but we all remember. My home village is known as 'The Divide' in the common tongue. If you'd like to know more, I'd be willing to talk about it more."

Naim narrows his eyes "Well that would be a...a rather long tale to say the least…do you two have time to spare?"

"I'm all ears."

[Zepher]

"Young master bucks!" Na'im cries are…are you well?" he hastily looks down at his toes

he doubted he would ever be able to look upon the rouges face again without feeling guilty about the encounter in the lost paths

"I'm all good dog," rasps Bobby's hollow voice as he gives a thumbs up. "Have just been getting used to my new look, you know what I mean? Turns out it ain't so popping-popular with like Paladins and ladies and all that shiz. And also my fim-fam, but we tight so though it took them like a week or two, they're cool with it now." Bobby attempts to smile, but the mask is unflinching. "Theres some... other shiz to get used to too, but it's all good."

Miderun stares at the husk of her friend.

"Bobby? You...said..." she trails off, distracted by the utter nothing behind his voice. Hers hardens. "You said in Spesiala a demon did this to you. Do you maybe...have...." Miderun's gaze turn into a furious glare quite suddenly. "Tarok gauzn iiv, Bobby, di nazarzh sar, what could it ever-" she looks away from the soulless mask. Unable or unwilling. It hardly matters. "Why did you do this?"

"It was a trick, sis. Thought Zoot was going to help us out. Think we all did, you dig? But turns out it wasn't the way. Whole thing was a whole big mess, know what I'm saying? Ain't no winners, whole lot of losers, that's the way I'm thinking on it."

[Enceladus]

"I suppose that's the price of greed, bummer. But I know how it feels... to be different." He coughs. "Fenarians you say? Interesting. Can't say I met one until now."

Na’ims nostrils flare "Greed? I did not say it was greed." Naim sighs "Survival my friend-that power is the only thing that stops the Alpeith from marching on our underground home and finishing the job, so to speak."

Na'im cracks a smile "Oh that hardly surprises me: there are few enough of us left as it is-and those of us who are still around rarely leave our underground cities-and we seem to make up very little of their population; all manner of outcasts and wanderers find their way to Fenario."

"My name is Addok-Zo Obbex and this ugly mug you see before you is known as a Wakorian. I don't know where Spesialia is but my homeland is Abra. It's a vast desert wasteland but there are many treasures to be found there if the searing sand storms don't kill ya. Old bits and pieces to be salvaged and reused, especially the day when the mechanical-men attacked. Killed a lot of us warriors that day. That was many years ago before I became a freelancer but we all remember. My home village is known as 'The Divide' in the common tongue. If you'd like to know more, I'd be willing to talk about it more."

Na'im nods "Ah, I know of the Abra desert…but I have only ever visited the coastal regions. You might as well tell me more…it seems we have little else to do but tell sob stories."

"I'm all ears."

"Well, here goes..." begins Naim adopting a trance similar to an old storyteller "A long time ago, an elven prince, Yanis, of the house of Fenari, left his homeland of Spelesia to see Olegia. Now, whilst he was travelling in the high kingdoms, he met a missionary of Ennoc, and was persuaded to join the paladins of Ennoc. He was a fine warrior, and he undertook many quests across Olegia, but, he was slain in combat near Salamanda. Legend has it that his guardian angel was so stricken with grief at his death, that it renounced its role as a servant of Ennoc, and pledged itself to the prince's line-that is to say the house of Fenari-to protect and guard them, like the Prince it had failed to save.

"Now as I have said, then came the great schism between the houses of Fenari and Alpeith. Those were desperate times… Our people were taking heavy losses-entire houses were defecting to the Alpeith in hope of clemency but as oft happens in times of great need a rumour started to circulate that would later become legend to our people. A rumor of a winged and hooded figure in red who fought amongst us, and no blade or dart could slay him. They named him the red angel, for no one knew his identity."

"The angel had attracted quite a following amongst the supporters of house Fenari-he became a symbol of hope for Fenario in its darkest days, and a cult was formed in his name: the brotherhood of the red angel, and it became the official religion of Fenario once it was established underground."

Now, I had been too young to fight in the schism but my impressionable mind was entranced. Here was a way I could help my people, and honor the savior of Fenario! I quickly pledged my services to the brotherhood and in time I ascended to the rank of high cleric, where I was dismayed. It had been many years since the brotherhood’s foundation and once it might have been pure but time had eroded at the very values it stood for and it had become tainted with corruption. I never saw things that way really, so the other high clerics plotted to remove me from that position-and they succeeded. I was forced to flee for my life from Fenario."

"And now, here I am in Heroica! One last adventure for an old cleric I think, before my quiet retirement..." He did not mention the strange voice that plagued his waking hours ever since he had returned from Fenario, telling him to embrace his path as the last of the brotherhood of the red angel-he did not understand himself what it meant "Was that long enough for you

"I'm all good dog," rasps Bobby's hollow voice as he gives a thumbs up. "Have just been getting used to my new look, you know what I mean? Turns out it ain't so popping-popular with like Paladins and ladies and all that shiz. And also my fim-fam, but we tight so though it took them like a week or two, they're cool with it now." Bobby attempts to smile, but the mask is unflinching. "Theres some... other shiz to get used to too, but it's all good."

"One understands immediately." Na'im bows his head feeling worse than ever "You must feel...honored to have such friends."

[Flipz]

"It was a trick, sis. Thought Zoot was going to help us out. Think we all did, you dig? But turns out it wasn't the way. Whole thing was a whole big mess, know what I'm saying? Ain't no winners, whole lot of losers, that's the way I'm thinking on it."

"Yes, that's the general result when dealing with Azazot, as I've learned myself," Arthur remarks from behind Bobby, having excused himself from Karie and Zanna shortly before. He wasn't sure why the boy had such a draw on him, but he knew he wouldn't get answers from staying silent. And with the mention of Zoot, at least some pieces had fallen into place. Arthur extends a hand. "I am Arthur, Master." Though he had intended to fish for a name, somehow that was not how the words came out of his mouth. He frowns at yet another example of the boy's influence over him. That must have been some deal he made...

[CMP]

"I'm all good dog," rasps Bobby's hollow voice as he gives a thumbs up. "Have just been getting used to my new look, you know what I mean? Turns out it ain't so popping-popular with like Paladins and ladies and all that shiz. And also my fim-fam, but we tight so though it took them like a week or two, they're cool with it now." Bobby attempts to smile, but the mask is unflinching. "Theres some... other shiz to get used to too, but it's all good."

"It was a trick, sis. Thought Zoot was going to help us out. Think we all did, you dig? But turns out it wasn't the way. Whole thing was a whole big mess, know what I'm saying? Ain't no winners, whole lot of losers, that's the way I'm thinking on it."

"Nazar ev paladins," stated Miderun dryly, as though her anger with them anchored Bobby's...experience.

"I suppose...that is true," she sighed. "Nothing good came out of that. Instead, you..." She slowly looked back up at Bobby's mask, then shaking her head. "Caz Zar ser ash ez a malhzerun, asht serz caz Iar azh miderun dol ezakh..."

"Yes, that's the general result when dealing with Azazot, as I've learned myself," Arthur remarks from behind Bobby, having excused himself from Karie and Zanna shortly before. He wasn't sure why the boy had such a draw on him, but he knew he wouldn't get answers from staying silent. And with the mention of Zoot, at least some pieces had fallen into place. Arthur extends a hand. "I am Arthur, Master." Though he had intended to fish for a name, somehow that was not how the words came out of his mouth. He frowns at yet another example of the boy's influence over him. That must have been some deal he made...

Miderun was somewhat startled by the sudden appearance of the man, and she fixed a steely glare onto him as he greeted Bobby under the pretense of being...what, another demon worshipper??

"You deal with demons often?"

[Yzalirk]

Na’ims nostrils flare "Greed? I did not say it was greed." Naim sighs "Survival my friend-that power is the only thing that stops the Alpeith from marching on our underground home and finishing the job, so to speak."

Na'im cracks a smile "Oh that hardly surprises me: there are few enough of us left as it is-and those of us who are still around rarely leave our underground cities-and we seem to make up very little of their population; all manner of outcasts and wanderers find their way to Fenario."

"So your 'transformation' so to say was unintended? That artifact must have been something else, never heard of such a thing able that can permanently change people."

"Heh, I know how you feel on that. My people hardly leave 'The Divide' but usually its never. We prefer isolation but I am among the few who left our homeland but the only one to join Heroica."

Na'im nods "Ah, I know of the Abra desert…but I have only ever visited the coastal regions. You might as well tell me more…it seems we have little else to do but tell sob stories."

"The Divide is a large village built inside a canyon and carved into it. Due to my people's isolationism, there are many fortifications around the place to keep outsiders out but to also protect everyone inside. As far as I can remember, there are three houses that control the divide but I haven't been there in years. I doubt it changed though. Each house controls a provision, the three being food, water, and salvage. We all need to eat and there are various ways to obtain it. Apart from farming, stealing from caravans and traders or other villages is another. Water is the main thing us Wakorians cherish. It keeps you alive and it is a rare commodity in Abra, especially during the droughts. Again, we have special ways to get it, especially extracting it from the ground. And salvage, that is the basis for all of our fortifications and equipment. Without it, we might as well use stone tools. There are plenty of wrecks and scrap in the deserts we can salvage from. Though it may have been lost, it shouldn't go to waste."

"Well, here goes..." begins Naim adopting a trance similar to an old storyteller "A long time ago, an elven prince, Yanis, of the house of Fenari, left his homeland of Spelesia to see Olegia. Now, whilst he was travelling in the high kingdoms, he met a missionary of Ennoc, and was persuaded to join the paladins of Ennoc. He was a fine warrior, and he undertook many quests across Olegia, but, he was slain in combat near Salamanda. Legend has it that his guardian angel was so stricken with grief at his death, that it renounced its role as a servant of Ennoc, and pledged itself to the prince's line-that is to say the house of Fenari-to protect and guard them, like the Prince it had failed to save.

"Now as I have said, then came the great schism between the houses of Fenari and Alpeith. Those were desperate times… Our people were taking heavy losses-entire houses were defecting to the Alpeith in hope of clemency but as oft happens in times of great need a rumour started to circulate that would later become legend to our people. A rumor of a winged and hooded figure in red who fought amongst us, and no blade or dart could slay him. They named him the red angel, for no one knew his identity."

"The angel had attracted quite a following amongst the supporters of house Fenari-he became a symbol of hope for Fenario in its darkest days, and a cult was formed in his name: the brotherhood of the red angel, and it became the official religion of Fenario once it was established underground."

Now, I had been too young to fight in the schism but my impressionable mind was entranced. Here was a way I could help my people, and honor the savior of Fenario! I quickly pledged my services to the brotherhood and in time I ascended to the rank of high cleric, where I was dismayed. It had been many years since the brotherhood’s foundation and once it might have been pure but time had eroded at the very values it stood for and it had become tainted with corruption. I never saw things that way really, so the other high clerics plotted to remove me from that position-and they succeeded. I was forced to flee for my life from Fenario."

"And now, here I am in Heroica! One last adventure for an old cleric I think, before my quiet retirement..." He did not mention the strange voice that plagued his waking hours ever since he had returned from Fenario, telling him to embrace his path as the last of the brotherhood of the red angel-he did not understand himself what it meant "Was that long enough for you

"That's uhhh... quite the story. Well hey, at least they didn't plot to kill you and succeed. Now you must be making a difference in the world, no?"

[Zepher]

"One understands immediately." Na'im bows his head feeling worse than ever "You must feel...honored to have such friends."

"Not friends, fim-fam. Familia. My family. They don't have any choice but to deal with me, you dig? They just gotta, 'cause that's the way family be, know what I mean? Like, they were freaked the geek out, but once I told mom and pop what happened that was it."

"Yes, that's the general result when dealing with Azazot, as I've learned myself," Arthur remarks from behind Bobby, having excused himself from Karie and Zanna shortly before. He wasn't sure why the boy had such a draw on him, but he knew he wouldn't get answers from staying silent. And with the mention of Zoot, at least some pieces had fallen into place. Arthur extends a hand. "I am Arthur, Master." Though he had intended to fish for a name, somehow that was not how the words came out of his mouth. He frowns at yet another example of the boy's influence over him. That must have been some deal he made...

"Master Young Bucks, you, I can jive with that," laughs Bobby impassively. He snaps his fingers and gives a thumbs up. "Aces."

"You know Zooty-Zoot? I ain't got anything I know 'bout him 'kept that he's big and bad. He was all about making this big deal where I sold my soul or some shiz but then never told me what to do about it after. So I guess I'm just chillaxing until he decides it's time to do something with me? You know anything else he'd like... want? He just dipped after we shook hands and he screwed us."

"Nazar ev paladins," stated Miderun dryly, as though her anger with them anchored Bobby's...experience.

"I suppose...that is true," she sighed. "Nothing good came out of that. Instead, you..." She slowly looked back up at Bobby's mask, then shaking her head. "Caz Zar ser ash ez a malhzerun, asht serz caz Iar azh miderun dol ezakh..."

Bobby blushes - hard to see, but with his new pale skin it appears easily around the rim of the mask. "Yo, sis, I'mma be straight with you and say I still ain't got a lick of Orcish in me. You gonna have to teach me same way I taught you how to talk like you on the streets of Eubric, you dig? Else I'm only gonna get like two or three words out of each of your sentences. Ain't asking you to talk different-" he shoots Na'im a sly teasing glance- "just asking you help me learn, you know what I'm saying?"

[Asphalt]

"I'm all good dog," rasps Bobby's hollow voice as he gives a thumbs up. "Have just been getting used to my new look, you know what I mean? Turns out it ain't so popping-popular with like Paladins and ladies and all that shiz. And also my fim-fam, but we tight so though it took them like a week or two, they're cool with it now." Bobby attempts to smile, but the mask is unflinching. "Theres some... other shiz to get used to too, but it's all good."

If what you say is true than we are totes cool. Completely for the Shiz. It causes you pain though, does it not? You are truly not the boy we knew once. It is not only your face that has been changed, is it?

"Nazar ev paladins," stated Miderun dryly, as though her anger with them anchored Bobby's...experience.

You use the word Paladin yet again as a curse. Some would say that you use it as the men of these fields say the word Orc or Ogre. Would you not have those perceptions changed? Or are you pleased with being judged by the actions of those in our people's past?

[Enceladus]

"The Divide is a large village built inside a canyon and carved into it. Due to my people's isolationism, there are many fortifications around the place to keep outsiders out but to also protect everyone inside. As far as I can remember, there are three houses that control the divide but I haven't been there in years. I doubt it changed though. Each house controls a provision, the three being food, water, and salvage. We all need to eat and there are various ways to obtain it. Apart from farming, stealing from caravans and traders or other villages is another. Water is the main thing us Wakorians cherish. It keeps you alive and it is a rare commodity in Abra, especially during the droughts. Again, we have special ways to get it, especially extracting it from the ground. And salvage, that is the basis for all of our fortifications and equipment. Without it, we might as well use stone tools. There are plenty of wrecks and scrap in the deserts we can salvage from. Though it may have been lost, it shouldn't go to waste."

Na'im raises an eyebrow "Well I have never heard anyone admit to banditry quite so openly, but it matters little to me-all in the past, yes? Still you, ah…might want to keep your voice down. Many of our quests seem to involve fighting bandits. That is when were not slaying feral beasts or fending off demonic hordes."

"Don't you ever wonder where all this scrap came from in the middle of the desert? Seems curious enough to me."

"So your 'transformation' so to say was unintended? That artifact must have been something else, never heard of such a thing able that can permanently change people."

Na'im nods "Unintended, yes, but not unhelpful; it is what it is. We have oft tried to reverse its effects, but it appears there is nothing to be done about it."

"You and me both friend-nobody really knows, least of all us Fenarians, what this artifact was to begin with-only that it was very powerful, and very dangerous in the wrong hands."

"That's uhhh... quite the story. Well hey, at least they didn't plot to kill you and succeed. Now you must be making a difference in the world, no?"

Na'im sips his drink "I have only been on two quests so far he begins quietly …three if you count my recent excursion to the fields of glory. The first was to gather some ingredients for a mad alchemist’s experiment, which ended up killing him. The second, involved going back to my homeland, to help a wizard return a heirloom to the Star Elves, who chased us across half the continent. Make of it what you will, but neither of them made me feel particularly heroic afterwards."

"Not friends, fim-fam. Familia. My family. They don't have any choice but to deal with me, you dig? They just gotta, 'cause that's the way family be, know what I mean? Like, they were freaked the geek out, but once I told mom and pop what happened that was it."

Bobby blushes - hard to see, but with his new pale skin it appears easily around the rim of the mask. "Yo, sis, I'mma be straight with you and say I still ain't got a lick of Orcish in me. You gonna have to teach me same way I taught you how to talk like you on the streets of Eubric, you dig? Else I'm only gonna get like two or three words out of each of your sentences. Ain't asking you to talk different-" he shoots Na'im a sly teasing glance- "just asking you help me learn, you know what I'm saying?"

"Well then they must be happy to have you to, young master Bucks." affirms Na'im

Na'im grins impishly twirling his broomstick between his palms "If you can understand every word of lady Miderun’s speech before Grogmas comes to pass, then I will sell every one of my Fedoras-and I have quite an extensive collection." He says dryly "I'm just glad your still with us Bobby-for some time in Fenario I thought you had passed the point of no return…"

[Flipz]

Miderun was somewhat startled by the sudden appearance of the man, and she fixed a steely glare onto him as he greeted Bobby under the pretense of being...what, another demon worshipper??

"You deal with demons often?"

Arthur winces. "Not anymore...and even then it was less 'demons' and more 'the source of demons' power'...which generally puts one in dangerous games of maneuvering against demons. And paying some pretty significant prices."

"Not friends, fim-fam. Familia. My family. They don't have any choice but to deal with me, you dig? They just gotta, 'cause that's the way family be, know what I mean? Like, they were freaked the geek out, but once I told mom and pop what happened that was it."

"Master Young Bucks, you, I can jive with that," laughs Bobby impassively. He snaps his fingers and gives a thumbs up. "Aces."

"You know Zooty-Zoot? I ain't got anything I know 'bout him 'kept that he's big and bad. He was all about making this big deal where I sold my soul or some shiz but then never told me what to do about it after. So I guess I'm just chillaxing until he decides it's time to do something with me? You know anything else he'd like... want? He just dipped after we shook hands and he screwed us."

Caught off-guard, Arthur leaves his hand sticking out for a few awkward moments before withdrawing it.

"Tried to kill and usurp him once. Or more precisely, to help someone else kill and usurp him so I could kill and usurp her. It...didn't go well." Arthur winces again and rubs the back of his head. "Learned the hard way that Chaos isn't a good shortcut to power, and is much, much safer and more useful as a philosophy." Arthur frowns at the mention of the soul trade. "That's...not usually his style. Demons, sure, especially archdemons, but Zoot? Completely out of character. He's not really an 'action-y' sort of god the way Ennoc is, more a force of nature that people ascribe personality to. Or, well, a force of Chaos more than a force of nature. His developing a shard of personality is...well, I won't say unheard of, but again, out of character." Arthur frowns, remembering the Shard of Ennoc he'd helped to slay. "Gods don't normally take direct forms unless they've merged with and possessed a mortal or semi-mortal host...or started out as them. I'm not sure which possibility disturbs me most." Arthur strokes his chin, considering. Could this teenager be wearing the Amulet of Gods? Or was his strange condition some means of priming him for it? Either way, the possibilities weren't good. Especially if he figures out just how much power he has over the weapons of Zoot...

[Zepher]

If what you say is true than we are totes cool. Completely for the Shiz. It causes you pain though, does it not? You are truly not the boy we knew once. It is not only your face that has been changed, is it?

"Like I said, there was more than one thing to grow used to, but I'm a-okay again now," replies Bobby flatly. He turns his dead stare onto his friend. "Nice to see you again, dog."

"Well then they must be happy to have you to, young master Bucks." affirms Na'im

Na'im grins impishly twirling his broomstick between his palms "If you can understand every word of lady Miderun’s speech before Grogmas comes to pass, then I will sell every one of my Fedoras-and I have quite an extensive collection." He says dryly "I'm just glad your still with us Bobby-for some time in Fenario I thought you had passed the point of no return…"

"That's ain't a bad bet. I'll take it." Bobby salutes Na'im. "Bro, you just made a deal with a demon, dig?"

Caught off-guard, Arthur leaves his hand sticking out for a few awkward moments before withdrawing it.

"Tried to kill and usurp him once. Or more precisely, to help someone else kill and usurp him so I could kill and usurp her. It...didn't go well." Arthur winces again and rubs the back of his head. "Learned the hard way that Chaos isn't a good shortcut to power, and is much, much safer and more useful as a philosophy." Arthur frowns at the mention of the soul trade. "That's...not usually his style. Demons, sure, especially archdemons, but Zoot? Completely out of character. He's not really an 'action-y' sort of god the way Ennoc is, more a force of nature that people ascribe personality to. Or, well, a force of Chaos more than a force of nature. His developing a shard of personality is...well, I won't say unheard of, but again, out of character." Arthur frowns, remembering the Shard of Ennoc he'd helped to slay. "Gods don't normally take direct forms unless they've merged with and possessed a mortal or semi-mortal host...or started out as them. I'm not sure which possibility disturbs me most." Arthur strokes his chin, considering. Could this teenager be wearing the Amulet of Gods? Or was his strange condition some means of priming him for it? Either way, the possibilities weren't good. Especially if he figures out just how much power he has over the weapons of Zoot...

"Yo, no bro, I think it was like honest to goodness Zoot, you know? Or like maybe a demon just saying that he was Zoot, dig? That's easy as pie. Watch: I am Zoot!" proclaims Bobby and the shadows seem to wiggle and shiver. He giggles emotionlessly and blushes. "Doesn't mean a thing. But like, I do feel like it was really Zoot, you know? Just like a tickle on my spine tells me so. But who knows, you know?"

[Zepher]

Bobby notices most of his friends have signed up for Quest 154 and adds his own name.