Heroica RPG - Ethereal Letters

[Fred Daniel Yam]

To William

Hope you are alright on your quest. Sir Glorfindel has left heroica and left you 100 gold and a bone.

Elgar

Elgar,

I am sad to hear the leaving of Sir Glorfindel but he must follow his own path. And now I'm not broke!

Harkenshire.

[Poison Ivy]

Alisha hears a *poof* from inside the graveyard, and quickly moves toward it, sword ready. She finds a woman, dressed all in pink and holding a rolled-up parchment, waiting for her there.

"Hello, dearie. Message from you, from Dak."

Alisha cautiously takes the parchment as it is offered, and steps backward as the woman disappears again with a loud *POOF*.

She reads the note.

Hey Alisha,

It's Dak. I'm in a freaking cave right now, and I'm seriously really, really bored. This Hero business ain't as good as it seems at first, I tell you. I'm surprised people even sign up any more. Man, I almost died in my last battle. I know dying is a part of living, but it's still ridiculous that we do this just for a little gold or reputation with one house or the other. Somehow, I don't think that I'll last much longer if something doesn't happen to turn my luck around. What about you? How are you doing, wherever you are?

-Dak

She curls up beside a gravestone, quickly penning her reply.

Dak,

Yeah, it's pretty boring sometimes, but it'll pass. I'm doing fine, unless being constantly annoyed by a serious retard is not your definition of 'fine'.

-Alisha

Short, but it did the job. She smiled and got up, pleased with her results.

"I have Z-Mail."

*Poof*

The letter disappeared in a puff of pink smoke.

[JimBee]

Dear Hybros,

How are you, you wondrously clever little imp! I hope that the world is treating you well. The Orc bar maid tells me that you are out on a Quest hunting pirates, and what's more with Eric, once more! Tell him a say a big hello. It seems so long ago that we were searching crates for something that wasn't there, hopefully since then you have had more interesting adventures, all I have done was retrieve stolen objects in the desert, and again in the frozen lands of the north. Not terribly exciting, I'm afraid. I hope to see you soon, my friend.

-Boomingham

Suddenly, in Jolly Roger's Grotto, a pink envelope flew through the window and landed neatly on Hybros' hat. He pulled it out, puzzled, and opened it to reveal Boomingham's letter. Boomingham... it had been a very long time since Hybros had last seen the boisterous knight, and he had to admit that hearing from him again felt good. He spotted a nearby candle that lit the hallway, and put it out with his fingers. He used the ash to scribble a response.

Dear Boomingham,

It is good to hear from you again, after all this time. Yes, I am currently in Jolly Roger's Grotto on the behalf of the Bonapartes. It has been going well. I've reaped the rewards from defeating these pirates, and except from one incident ...

Hybros crossed the last part out. He decided not to tell Boomingham that he had been knocked out in battle.

...and we've made good progress. Eric, myself, and the others should be returning soon, so we will see you soon. Perhaps we will even quest together sometime soon.

Hybros thought for a moment, and decided it was time to move on. He looked forward to hearing Boomingham's stories, when he returned to the Hall. He much preferred to speak in person. He signed his name and whispered "I've got Z-Mail".

[Scubacarrot]

Guts, sitting in the mine, examining the ruined map, decided to write a letter, he needed to write some things off him, it would help him concentrate at the task at hand. He did not know a lot of people in Eubric, and even fewer people that he had a reason of writing to, but he decided to write to one of his previous questmates. Not too long ago they had travelled and fought together, and even though it felt strange to the aging rogue, he had began to feel a sort of... connection, maybe, to the people that were assigned with him on that quest.

Taking out the enchanted feather and a piece of parchment, Guts began to write:

To Sarick (for the deliverer, he looks like a serpent with arms, smells bad, likes reptiles),

Scaly, I hope this letter reaches you. We have not talked much since our fight in the arena, but perhaps we should. Last thing I heard, you were off to help the Ziegfrieds, how is your task going? I, once again, find myself in a mine, unfortunately... The tunnels are long, dark and cramped, but as least there is not the depressing feeling from the Darkstar, which made the mine we were in worse than it actually was, the only good thing about that place was that the ground was ridden with money, must have come from the miners, when they fled the mine... About the Darkstar, I used this Z-mail business to write a letter to General Haroka and Sorona. I asked how their 'plans' are going, but their response was without true meaning, I do not know what to think. I know you were for killing them, but the decision was to let them go, I fear that we have made the wrong decision. No doubt they are plotting something, something bad. I have my... 'associates' look out for them, they enter Uland, we know it. Next time we see them, we don't bargain, but slit their throats, I say.

This place, although a mine as well, is very different. The place is almost void of any treasure, and according to our employer, all mineral veins have mysteriously disappeared, which is our assignment. I hate to think about it, but I am almost certain there is foul magic at work here, or a being that sucks minerals from the rock, but have you ever heard of such a thing? Either way, it is trouble, as all magic is, no offense. My duel with you was useful, it has thought me that magic, when be careful, can be used as a tool, but I keep believing magic is a curse, rather than a blessing. Just watch out you don't accidentally freeze yourself to dead, you are cold-blooded, after all...

I heard Nerwen the elf is with you, if you get the chance to speak with her, send her my best wishes. Those wishes are also for you, Scaly, I hope your quest fares well, stay out of trouble, and be wary.

Guts Holla, trainee in the art of the fist

PS: You don't happen to have a bottle of wine you could send with a letter, do you?

Looking around, Guts slowly said: "I've got Z-mail!"

Edited February 22, 2012 by Scubacarrot

[Masked Builder]

Alexis,

That would be fine, just don't cover up the other engraving, would you?

Althior

Althior,

Okay I'll watch it. How's the defense going?

Alexis

"I've got Z-mail."

[Bricksandparts]

Johon doesn't understand, then remembers he keeps hearing people say 'I have Z-mail' and then the letter disappeared. So, without further adew (don't know how to spell it), Johon took out the letters.

Dear Ellaria,

I'm not sure what happened after the quest, so I wanted to write to you to see if everything's alright. I want to see if there is anything I can do for you. It sounds like something is wrong. Alexis seems sad.

I hope for your best, Alf

Inside the letter, the amulet with Slyvania he had made during the quest is tied around the letter.

Dear Arthur Justus Regulus VII

How are you? I hear a rumor that you are now Althior's apprentice? I've met him, drunk, let us say. I hear you're fighting some Bobric Elves?

I give you the best of wishes and hope, Alf

"I've got Z-mail..."

With that, the letter disappeared.

[Flipz]

Another pink envelope poofs out of midair next to Arthur. He sighs. "That (w)itch, using MY family's magic for HER profit...*mutter mutter grumble grumble string of filthy expletives complain complain complain*..."

He reads the letter from Alf. He decides he has time to respond before returning to work on the new catapult.

Hey there, Alf!

I'm doing OK--I got my first kill a couple of battles back! These Elves are tough, though--it's going to take everything we've got to beat them in these final few waves.

Huh? How did you find out I became Althior's apprentice? Are Alexis' spirits being gossips again, because if they are, I swear I never-- OUT! OUT OF MY LETTER, FINNEGAN! ALTHIOOOOR!! Listen, I gotta go. Got any advice for beating the Elves? I think we're running out of time for this wave, but perhaps we can set some things up before the very final round.

Oh, before I forget, How much would it take to buy the Healing Staff off you? Don't worry, I'm keeping a tally of how much I owe you for the rental, but it's proven quite useful, and it'd save me a bundle on Potions over time. Oh, and one last thing, if you see a Monk named Pretzel? Give him a good beatdown, would ya? His Z-mails have touched my last nerve! (Just try not to get caught--I'd hate to see you get in trouble. Too bad there's no gladiator ring at the Hall, you'd have a real reason to challenge him then! )

Your Friend,

--Arthur

OOC: Don't take it personally, palathadric, I love your roleplaying. Arthur is the one who can't stand it, not me.

[Bricksandparts]

Another pink envelope poofs out of midair next to Arthur. He sighs. "That (w)itch, using MY family's magic for HER profit...*mutter mutter grumble grumble string of filthy expletives complain complain complain*..."

He reads the letter from Alf. He decides he has time to respond before returning to work on the new catapult.

Hey there, Alf!

I'm doing OK--I got my first kill a couple of battles back! These Elves are tough, though--it's going to take everything we've got to beat them in these final few waves.

Huh? How did you find out I became Althior's apprentice? Are Alexis' spirits being gossips again, because if they are, I swear I never-- OUT! OUT OF MY LETTER, FINNEGAN! ALTHIOOOOR!! Listen, I gotta go. Got any advice for beating the Elves? I think we're running out of time for this wave, but perhaps we can set some things up before the very final round.

Oh, before I forget, How much would it take to buy the Healing Staff off you? Don't worry, I'm keeping a tally of how much I owe you for the rental, but it's proven quite useful, and it'd save me a bundle on Potions over time. Oh, and one last thing, if you see a Monk named Pretzel? Give him a good beatdown, would ya? His Z-mails have touched my last nerve! (Just try not to get caught--I'd hate to see you get in trouble. Too bad there's no gladiator ring at the Hall, you'd have a real reason to challenge him then! )

Your Friend,

--Arthur

OOC: Don't take it personally, palathadric, I love your roleplaying. Arthur is the one who can't stand it, not me.

Johon writes back to Arthur

Dear Arthur,

I haven't met a monk named Pretzel... Though the hall seems to have a new Arena. I heard some rumors, probably from this letter thing, that you were now Althior's assistant. I've won a few battles there. About the healing staff, I'm not sure I wanna let go of it yet. I'll see. About the Elves... Hmm, could you try to swing a rope towards them all at once, it may be able to stun them for a while... Well good luck on your quest I suppose. Hope to see you soon.

"I've got Z-mail..."

[K-Nut]

Are Alexis' spirits being gossips again, because if they are, I swear I never-- OUT! OUT OF MY LETTER, FINNEGAN! ALTHIOOOOR!!

Arthur

Please, I'm this color, not that.

Finnegan

[Darth Nihilus]

Dak,

Yeah, it's pretty boring sometimes, but it'll pass. I'm doing fine, unless being constantly annoyed by a serious retard is not your definition of 'fine'.

-Alisha

"Oh, frick it," says Dak as another letter falls out of thin air above his head. He ducks, but nothing hits him this time.

"Phew." He stands up, relieved.

Then an inkwell pops into existence above his head, hitting him squarely once again. He hears the female snicker from somewhere behind him, and whips around, shaking his fist. No one is there.

"Frick it, frick it, frick it," he mutters under his breath, reading the letter. He writes back.

Alisha,

I hope you're right. This cave really sucks. I just triggered a trap by grabbing a satchel from a skeleton, and now everyone's mad at me. This sucks, you know? I just hate traps. When I get back to the Hall, I'm definitely investing in one of those Magnifying Glasses, to stop this from happening again. And some Meads and Smelling Salts, my Party Leader showed me how effective those are. Anyway, I hope you're alright. I would hate to see anything happen to you; I haven't even met you face-to-face yet! Anyway, this is probably the last letter I'll send, I've got some stuff that needs doing.

-Dak

With a heavy heart, Dak says the magic words, inscribed on the inkwell.

"I have Z-Mail."

In a flash and a puff of smoke that burns his hand, the letter and inkwell disappear. He returns to the party, looking a bit crestfallen.

[Xarrzan]

To Sarick ...

An enchanted fishbone appeared once Sarick finished reading the letter. He began writing on a piece of parchment that fell out of the envelope:

To Guts (for the deliverer, he looks like a shady character with a face covering. Drop the letter off and leave immediately or risk being robbed, pick pocketed or stabbed in the back)

Guts, I received your letter and assume you will receive this one by the same means. My attempt to complete a quest successfully has failed again. I lead our team 500 years in the past to obtain some family history. We appeared in a hostile environment but survived long enough for the time spell to malfunction and bring us back to the present. I could have used your expertise in deceitful ways because we also faced an assassin. It fled though when we were ripped back to the present.

I was, and still am, for killing General Haroka. His magic is perverse and will cause much harm in the future. Keep me posted on any updates. I look forward to teaming up against him.

I have not heard of magical creatures that eat minerals...at least none that live on land. There is a slug that lives deep beneath the sea. It stays as close as possible to active magma vents. Not quite sure what it eats but some say it is feasting on the minerals that are spouting from the vents.

When I see Nerwen I will send her your regards. What is this 'art of the fist' you mention? I have heard of a special training room somewhere near the hall but I have yet to explore it. Is the 'fist' a technique you plan to learn there? Good luck in the mine and if you face magic users, defeat them quickly before they use their magical tricks.

Sarick Lanse, frost mage of the aquatic plains.

PS: Everytime I stick this wine bottle into the envelope and close the lid, the bottle appears next to me. I can soak the letter in the wine, but I think that's the best I can do.

Sarick tried to recall the magic password to send the letter and said "You've got Scale Mail!" Seeing that nothing happened he scanned Guts' letter again before saying "I've got Z-mail!" and the letter disappeared.

[Scubacarrot]

Guts reads the letter he received from Sarick, with a faint grin, he begins to write a reply.

Scaly,

I thought you knew I do not pickpocket people, it is much easier to steal someone's belongings when they are dead. It is a shame you did not finish your quest, but it just proves what I already knew, the Ziegfrieds are incompetent. (No offense to the delivery lady, this Z-mail business is great, thanks.) I am going to avoid dealing with them in the future, I fear their magic will only bring more trouble to this world, and I want no part of it.

This slug-creature you talk about, I doubt it is what we are dealing with, this mine is in the mountains, and I don't think someone would go to the trouble to transport those creatures to here. Thanks for your advice on magic-users, I will heed it.

There are monks, sworn to Sem, that can defeat a bear or other creatures by punching it in the jaw. For a while, I have trained with these monks, high in the mountains, in the hope to learn the secrets of this unarmed combat. I cannot say I have succeeded in this, my unarmed prowess does not even begin to come close to some of those monks, but I hope to one day return there, to master these techniques.

Stay safe, and don't worry, you'll be the first to know if I learn anything about the General,

Guts Holla, shovel aficionado.

After reading back what he wrote, Guts said absent: "I've got Z-mail!"

[TheBoyWonder]

Dear Cinna,

How are you?

Leo

I've got Z-Mail!

[Sandy]

On the second floor of a small inconspicuous apotechary on Marlin Road, the bedridden Ellaria Arbour is awakened by a flash of bright light and a soft voice calling her out. Wearily the cleric opens her eyes to see a female wizard in pink and black standing on her bedside.

"Greetings! I hope I am not disturbing you. My name is Valentine Ziegfried, and I'm the Head Transportrix of the family. You have heard about the Ziegfried family, haven't you? I'm being silly, of course you have! Well, I just wanted to inform that the fabulous offer of free use of the Z-Mail service to the heroes of Heroica is ending today. I noticed you have a few unanswered letters from good friends there on your table, so I was wondering if you were still willing to use the offer to write up a response to them. And while you are writing, would it trouble you to answer to this customer feedback questionnaire? It would mean the world to me!"

Ellaria stares at the woman blankly. Droplets of sweat trickle down her forehead. Couldn't the pesky mage see she is ill? And what letters was she even talking about? Ellaria turns her head to see two unopened envelopes on the small table next to her bed. The Zeigfried woman takes out a sheet of paper from her bag and lays it on top of the letters.

"Ah, I see that I have arrived at an unopportune moment. You just answer this when you've got the time, if you please. Bye now, Miss Arbour, and thank you for using Z-Mail! Oh, and please tell my congrats to the father as well."

With that, the wizard was gone. The baffled Ellaria was wide awake now, so she reached out for the letters, dropping Valentine's questionnaire on the floor. She then opened the letters and saw that they were from a few more people at Heroica. Ellaria felt warm inside, and a slight smile spread on her face as she read the letters. She then gathered her strength and concentration to write short replies to both of them.

Ellaria,

This is Althior. I hope you still remember me from that old Hinckwell's cave. Alexis tells me you haven't been real well lately and that you haven't even shown up at the Hall after your latest quest. I just want to make sure you're fine, and if not, at least be able to help you if you're in need.

As always, your eternal friend, Althior

Dear Althior,

Of course I remember you. I am pregnant, not demented. I do not know how much Lexie has told you, but if you want to, please come visit me with Alexis some day.

Your friend always,

~Ellaria

Dear Ellaria,

I'm not sure what happened after the quest, so I wanted to write to you to see if everything's alright. I want to see if there is anything I can do for you. It sounds like something is wrong. Alexis seems sad.

I hope for your best, Alf

Inside the letter, the amulet with Sylvania he had made during the quest is tied around the letter.

Dear Alf,

Thank you for the pendant, it is lovely and soothing. I feel the presence of my goddess in it, so your gift comes as a blessing. It is true that I am not well at the moment. If you want to hear more, please come visit me with Alexis. It would mean a lot to me to see my friends one last time, if this condition of mine leads to the worst.

Your friend,

~Ellaria

Sealing both letters into envelopes, Ellaria utters the enchanted words that whisk the letters away. She then falls back to her restless sleep, where a giant demon baby chases after her, threatening to squash her under a soft foot. Alexis, Althior and Alf come to her rescue, and together they fight the baby. And as Ellaria strikes the baby with her fiery staff, she cries bitterly.

~The event has concluded.~