Heroica RPG - Quest#12: Honey, I Shrunk the Youngins!

[Masked Builder]

"I shall use my compass."

OoC: I'll be gone for the next few days, sorry!, so Peppy has control of my gal.

[Peppermint_M]

Tesni dusted herself off and brushed at her former wounds, the markings on her arms and face were gone but the purple glow ringed her iris and a slight hint of purple light escaped from under her eyepatch. "I am fine friends. Alexis, for your fine shooting, please take the quiver. Haldor you can have the collar, you were fine in battle. Who would like the compass? Each of us can have 100 gold also."

"Well met child, you be careful when we next battle your father does not want you to come to harm. Do you know where the others might be? We will follow the compass if it gives us a direction."

[Sandy]

"I am fine friends. Alexis, for your fine shooting, please take the quiver. Haldor you can have the collar, you were fine in battle. Who would like the compass? Each of us can have 100 gold also."

Ellaria raises her hand sheepishly.

"I can take the compass, if nobody else wants it. Also, you must mean we all get 20 gold, right? Because that's what you get if you divide 100 gold into five equal portions..."

[Peppermint_M]

"Sorry yes, I was supposed to devide. 20 gold each and yes Ellaria, you can have the compass."

[Sandy]

"Thanks, Tesni! You're the best! Now, let us move on to the direction that Alexis's compass points."

[Jebediahs]

Updated Party:

Tesni Hightribe

(played by Peppermint_M)

Level 12½ Barbarian (Party Leader)

Power

: 20

Health

: 18/18

Gold

: 130

Inventory

: Cysgodion the Great Sword of Darkness (WP: 8, Darkness), Cryfder (WP:6), Training Spear (WP: 2), Training Morning Star (WP: 2), 2 Potions, Phoenix Essence, 2 Meads, 3 Venom, Jester Hat(quest item)

Haldor Skovgaard

(played by Scorpiox)

Level 7 Cleric

~Shrinking Sickness~

Power

: 15 (14+1)

Health

: 15/15

Ether

: 11/11

Gold

: 37

Inventory

: Heavy Metal Rod (WP:7), Spiked Collar (Power+1), Frying Pan (WP: 1, +1 Health), Shovel, Pickaxe, Remedy, Venom and a fur-lined bedroll

Alexis Fenral

(played by Masked Builder)

Level 12½ Ranger

*Hastened*

Power

: 20

Health

: 16/16

Gold

: 52

Inventory

: Mockthril Longbow (WP:8, Lightning), Quickdraw Quiver(

Haste

), Smoke Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Potion, 2 Venom, Pickax, Shovel, Bedroll, Bone, Ancient Throwing Dagger (WP:7), Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass

Ellaria Arbour

(played by Sandy)

Level 9 Cleric

~Shrinking Sickness~

Power

: 19

Health

: 17/17

Ether

: 9/13

Gold

: 102

Inventory

: Ignis Fatuus (WP: 10, fire-elemental), 1 Potion, 2 Tonics, Phoenix Essence, Lightning Bomb, Water Bomb, Bedroll, Pickaxe, 2x Ladle of Goblin Gumbo(Haste for one battle, expires at end of quest), Magic Compass

Hoke Ablesword

(played by UsernameMDM)

Level 9 Knight

~Shrinking Sickness~

Power

: 17

Health

: 15/18

Gold

: 186

Inventory

: Vintul, the Greatsword of Wind (Great sword: WP 8, wind), Kriegsmesser (Long Sword: WP 3), Steel Buckler (Shield: SP 2), Cultist Hat, Emerald, Potion x2, Venom, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Telescope

1 of 3 Szalinski children saved!

- Condition: Good

The elven ranger's compass points to the right so the party heads in that direction. After a brief jaunt, the path splits into three lanes, LEFT, STRAIGHT, and RIGHT. Alexis uses her compass again and it points to the right. Ellaria also uses her compass to double check but finds that hers points straight ahead. Both women are thinking of the children so what could it mean?

Which way will the party go?

QM Note: Please look over your stats. This should be correct now.

Edited November 7, 2011 by Jebediahs

[Peppermint_M]

"Either Path will take us to a child. Straight Ahead for now, we can return later."

[UsernameMDM]

Hoke wipes off his great sword and slides it back in the sheath

"1 down, 2 more to go. Is this the one who likes the hat?"

[Scorpiox]

"Arrggghh!"

Haldor fell to his knees, and clutched at a tree, his eyes opened and he witnessed a vision. He saw a man falling and turning to chaos, a group returning home, he saw Jess in the hall, smiling. He felt a surge of emotion and then nothing. He stood up to see the party standing over him.

[Peppermint_M]

"Are you alright Haldor?"

[Scorpiox]

"Uggh."

Haldor winces and blue light eminates from his eyes, he opens his mouth and a voice speaks, clearly not Haldor's. The voice speaks with a thousand echoes of lost souls.

Speak not of darkness and sin, do not curse the place with your wicked words. But bring vengence upon those who bear the word of evil! The demon rises, and hell shall fall upon us, but the light shall purge the wicked and then there will be none!

Haldor reawakes, and asks the party what happened.

Sorry for slowly you guys down, just a bit of Tanma-style character development.

Edited November 7, 2011 by Scorpiox

[Jebediahs]

Sorry for slowly you guys down, just a bit of Tanma-style character development.

- "I don't know Mister but that was the coolest thing ever!"

OOC: Please continue :)

[Scorpiox]

"Die foul minion of darkness!"

Haldor is engulfed again, and lunges a Tesni, determined to destroy her, he rears up and prepares to strike...

But he luckily snaps out of the trance before he does any lasting damage, he wimpers and says in a weak voice:

"Tesni, I'm sorry, I don't know what's happening. I think it has something to do with this."

Haldor pulls a crystal out of his bag, it throbs violently and fires a bolt of electricity (What's that?) at Tesni, specificly at Cysgodian.

Haldor shoves the crystal in his bag before the bolt can hit Tesni. Haldor tells the story of how he found the crystal in a temple on the way to Eubric. The temple belonged to Grishnak DarkBane, a great warrior famed for his slaying of demons. Grishnak was famed to have became so pure he was elevated to a Demi-god with powers beyond belief.

Haldor suddenly forgot what he was saying and continued to wait for the party to approach the next junction.

Edited November 7, 2011 by Scorpiox

[Peppermint_M]

Raising her guard but wary that this man was of interest to her friend Jess, Tesni backed away, the crackling gem shooting at her blade.

"Haldor, please control this power, a clerical chant might help? This thing does not like Cysgodion?" The purple corona flashed in her eye, not violently but as if focusing on this new potential threat.

[Sandy]

"Oh my, Haldor... As a cleric you should know better than to carry around divine artefacts. Deities are not like us mortals, they defy logic and reason, and their blessings are untrustworthy - especially if you don't have faith in the deity whose artefact you possess. I have not heard of this Grishnak before, but for all our sakes please keep that artefact hidden until we get back to our own size."

Ellaria utters a silent prayer to Silvania to fend off the raging power that resides within Haldor. The goddess had been with them on this quest so far, but who knows if she would get jealous about the involvement of another deity and abandon them?

But realizing that worrying about such matters was futile, the female cleric decided to leave godly business to the gods, and carry on with her task.

[Peppermint_M]

"Yes, the trouble has passed, we should move on to the next part of our mission."

Tesni was wary, this object might be a future threat.

[Jebediahs]

Is this the one who likes the hat?"

The knight's words fall upon deaf ears as Haldor has an intense mystical episode. After things settle the party decides to venture straight ahead.

The heroes emerge from the brush. They see a small boy standing in the open, tears running down his face. An instant later, two orcs appear from the adjacent shrubbery. They are just as shocked as the party is to find the boy at the same time as their competition.

The larger orc was heavily armored and carried a double bladed axe. He walked slowly towards the party with a surefooted warrior's gait. His companion was slighter in stature and stood silently measuring the party. She had twin shining daggers and a madness emanating from her eyes.

What will the party do?

[Peppermint_M]

Tesni sighted theior target and the two orcs, if their teammates were anything to go by, these new challengers would not want a peacful solution, motioning to Hoke she whispered "See if you can try your knight diplo-macy, they might heed us then."

[UsernameMDM]

Hoke steps forward and puts on his friendliest face.

Hoke uses his Diplomacy skill

"Young lad, over here. Your brother is with us"

Hoke turns towards the orcs:

"Many thanks for flushing our quarry. We shall be on our way."

[Jebediahs]

Oliveri mouthes the word 'Nico' and attempts to go to his brother. Ellaria quickly and gently restrains him. "Well met. Me am leader of da Maa'ri Clan. Us need dis job to pay ransom fer our families. Me two youngins, her sister and us mage's nephew all get caught by a splinter faction of Ennoc worshipers. Dem zealots tink all non-humans be evil. Absurd. The helmeted orc reads the party's faces and comments on his teammates. You see da ranger, him familee all dead long time. Da Twins have each udder. Dey no understand how us feel but come along to help team. Us tried to free our kin but us failed multapul times. Us have no choice but to pay so need money. Szinskee pay us good coin to find him youngins. Him tell us him might send you if us fail though."

How will the party respond to this proud warrior's sad tale?

[Peppermint_M]

The story was compelling, but it seemed strange that a sect of Ennoc who hated the non-humans would hold some to ransom. A team of orcs who had put up such a fight could also take their own by force, their earlier fights had indicated that the other members of this rival team would have nothing against fighting anyone.

Tesni once again turned to Hoke, "You are the smooth talker, maybe we could make a deal with them?"

[Sandy]

Ellaria listened the orc's tale, but something just seemed off with it. She and the rest of the party huddled together to negotiate their tactics.

"Perhaps we should ask them to post a quest pitch to Heroica Hall? I'm sure our organization would have many interested and capable adventurers to go and rescue their relatives from these Ennonians. In any case, I think we can avoid a battle if we just play our cards right here."

[UsernameMDM]

Tesni once again turned to Hoke, "You are the smooth talker, maybe we could make a deal with them?"

Hoke nodded at Tesni's suggestion and turned back towards the orcs.

"A sad tale you speak indeed. Perhaps after my party and I return the children, we may aid you in freeing your people. I do not believe one ransom will be enough to free your people forever. Only by putting down your enemies can you be free."

OOC - Pep M can control Hoke if need be.

[Jebediahs]

"Like me said already. Dem fantatics am insane and tuffer dan us. Us tried to fight dem and failed. Maybe Heroica heroes could help but us no can wait that long." The orc leader eyes Oliveri. "Me see you find a youngling. This crying one is ours. We see him first. Of course we need all to get reward. We fight you for dat one hiding back dere." Oliveri moves closer to Ellaria as the orc looks in his direction.

The orc rogue began pacing behind the warrior. "Me friend am very fast. Her will flee at da beginning of round 3 and will take the crybaby back to our camp." The warrior stretches his neck as he looks through the party. "You no travel wit rogue so none of you quick enough to flee and catch her to fight her one on one. 'Nuff talk. You give us Szinskee youngin' now."

Results of Shrinking Sickness in Battle versus Maa'ri Ranger:

Haldor Skovgaard - Poisoned

Ellaria Arbour - No effect

Hoke Ablesword - Cured!

A queasy feeling takes over Haldor as the Shrinking Sickness effects kick in. Ellaria looks down at her hands waiting for something to happen but she feels fine. Hoke feels slightly lighter on his feet as if a great weight has been lifted.

PREPARE FOR BATTLE!

Enemies:

Maa'ri Warrior

- "Am sorry but us need money."

Type: Humanoid

Level: 5

Health: 130/130

Special:

Sentinel in Training

– Protects party from next two attacks.

Cleave

- Hits all targets in the front row for 3 damage.

Taunt

- Forces all party members to attack him the next round.

Drops: 50 gold, Warrior's Treads (SP:2, Health +1)

Note: Warrior is heavily armored, SP:10!

Maa'ri Rogue

- "..."

Type: Humanoid

Level: 4

Health: 110/110

Special:

Sidestep

– Receives no damage from next attack.

Invision's Kiss

- Elite poison, Inflicts 7 points of damage a round beginning the next round. Can be cleansed by a standard heal or potion.

Consume Goblin Gumbo

- Receives the Haste effect for the next round (Counts as a free hit).

Drops: 250 gold, Mercutio's Dagger of Mugging (WP:5, Mug Ability +5; suitable for Rogues), Sapper (WP:7,

Lifesteal

: Each successful attack restores 2 health to user; Suitable for Rogues)

Note: Rogue makes precise strikes. Attacks ignore armor!

Party:

Tesni Hightribe

(played by Peppermint_M)

Level 12½ Barbarian (Party Leader)

Power

: 20

Health

: 18/18

Gold

: 130

Inventory

: Cysgodion the Great Sword of Darkness (WP: 8, Darkness), Cryfder (WP:6), Training Spear (WP: 2), Training Morning Star (WP: 2), 2 Potions, Phoenix Essence, 2 Meads, 3 Venom, Jester Hat(quest item)

Haldor Skovgaard

(played by Scorpiox)

Level 7 Cleric

~Poisoned~

Power

: 15 (14+1)

Health

: 15/15

Ether

: 11/11

Gold

: 37

Inventory

: Heavy Metal Rod (WP:7), Spiked Collar (Power+1), Frying Pan (WP: 1, +1 Health), Shovel, Pickaxe, Remedy, Venom and a fur-lined bedroll

Alexis Fenral

(played by Masked Builder)

Level 12½ Ranger

*Hastened*

Power

: 20

Health

: 16/16

Gold

: 52

Inventory

: Mockthril Longbow (WP:8, Lightning), Quickdraw Quiver(

Haste

), Smoke Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Potion, 2 Venom, Pickax, Shovel, Bedroll, Bone, Ancient Throwing Dagger (WP:7), Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass

Ellaria Arbour

(played by Sandy)

Level 9 Cleric

~Shrinking Sickness~

Power

: 19

Health

: 17/17

Ether

: 9/13

Gold

: 102

Inventory

: Ignis Fatuus (WP: 10, fire-elemental), 1 Potion, 2 Tonics, Phoenix Essence, Lightning Bomb, Water Bomb, Bedroll, Pickaxe, 2x Ladle of Goblin Gumbo(Haste for one battle, expires at end of quest), Magic Compass

Hoke Ablesword

(played by UsernameMDM)

Level 9 Knight

Power

: 17

Health

: 15/18

Gold

: 186

Inventory

: Vintul, the Greatsword of Wind (Great sword: WP 8, wind), Kriegsmesser (Long Sword: WP 3), Steel Buckler (Shield: SP 2), Cultist Hat, Emerald, Potion x2, Venom, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Telescope

1 of 3 Szalinski children saved!

- Condition: Good

Party Leader, choose the order of action.

All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, or if you want to use an item instead of attacking.

Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone have acted.

QM Note: ATTENTION HEROES! The rogue will flee the battle at the beginning of round 3 and capture the crying gnomeling if not KO'd. Enemies will use specials in order listed.

Edited November 8, 2011 by Jebediahs

[Masked Builder]

"Okay Maa'ri Rogue I will attack you twice from the back row!"