Heroica RPG - Quest #28: The Breakthrough

[Jebediahs]

Nur hangs back and slaps Boomingham on the shoulder. "Buck up, General. No more drinking on the job. Lesson learned."

OoC: Those were some rough /rolls

[Zepher]

Boomingham nods grudgingly at the mage. "Thank you, Nur. I wish that we could have double teamed him... when this is over, I'm coming back, and if he's still here, I'm fighting him until he either cuts my guts out or he's dead." Boomingham shoves his way through the other heroes and tries to look through the keyhole. "The last man we were supposed to talk to was inside his rug. These blokes might not be better off. Everyone stand back. Here's hoping this inn is as poorly built as they claim it is." Boomingham slams his shoulder into the door with the whole of his weight against it.

[Waterbrick Down]

The Party:

Bartholomew Docken

, Level 20.67 Warden (Brick Doctor) *Party Leader* *

Scary

*

Power: 29

Health: 39/39

Defense: 15

Gold: 25 (50 Gold loaned to Arthur Justus Regulus VII [Flipz])

Inventory: Briar Bow (WP: 9; Wood Elemental), Mockthril Longbow (WP: 5), Mythril Shield (SP: 15), Dread Hat (enemies lower than half of wearer's Level won't attack directly), Bedroll, Mead, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Potions (5)

Haldor Skovgaard

, Level 17 Shaman (Scorpiox)

Power: 29,

Health: 34/34

Ether: 19/24

Gold: 119

Inventory: Heavy Metal Rod (WP:12), Lesser Ethereal Cloak (SP:+1, +3 Ether), Paper Doll (Hexed immunity)

Spike Coller (+1 power), Diamond of Thoric (Light Elemental), Frying Pan (WP:1+1 health), Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion (x2), Remedy, Tonic, Mead, Venom, and a fur-lined Bedroll, Scroll of Blindness, Bear Claw Gloves (WP:7, SP:2, non-upgradable SP)

Jess Islanti

, Level 17 Assassin (Sisco)

Power: 27 (+2)

Health: 28/28(+1)

Gold: 230

Inventory: Blohdhurm (WP: 9)(Fire elemental), Mercutio's Dagger of Mugging (WP:5, Mug Ability +5), 2 Venoms, Mead, Smelling Salts, 2 Remedies

Lord Lawrence Boomingham

, Level 16 Paladin (Zepher)

Power: 27 (+3)

Health: 30/30 (-6)

Ether: 16/16

Gold: 7 (Owes 50 to Jess)

Inventory: King of the Desert (Longsword) (WP: 9, Fire Darkness), Frozen Saber (WP: 9, stunned effect, Light) Shaduex Shield (SP: 5), Thorny Diadem (+3 to power, but -6 to maximum health) 3 Potions, Bedroll, 5 Bones, 2 Holy bombs, 2 Meads, 1 Phoenix essence, Pick-axe, 1 Jo-no Tree seed

En Sabah Nur, Level 16 Sorcerer (Jebediahs) *

Lucky

*

Power: 28

Health: 25/25 (23+1)

Ether: 9/20

Gold: 158

Equipped:

Inventory: Stealth Dagger (WP: 12), Helmet (+1 HP), Loaded Die (

Lucky

effect),Garnet Gem (Earth), Aquamarine (Water), En, Sabah, Nur (Shurikens 3/3, WP: 5), 4 Potions, Grand Tonic, 2 Phoenix Essence, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Sangriste Dagger (WP: 5), Aquamarine Lamp of Summoning

Docken tries the door but finds that it is still locked. Jess's inspection of the key hold reveals that it is dwarven made and unknown to her. Boomingham is unable to see anything through the key hole but does hear the regular breathing pattern of two or three individuals sleeping. The Paladin tries rushing against the door, but it is ironically stoutly built and does not give under the Paladin's weight. The room behind the door remains silent.

What shall the Party do? There still exists rooms 3 and 4 which have yet to be tried.

Edited April 26, 2012 by Waterbrick Down

[Sisco]

*I should have 230 gold, with Zepher owing me 50.

"Let's go ahead and knock on the other doors, and see if their neighbors can help us out any."

[Brickdoctor]

I knock on the door marked "3".

"Doctor Jiivni?"

[Waterbrick Down]

Docken knocks upon door 3 and is surprised as it swings open of its own accord revealing a room in definate need of repairs.

A few floor boards remain braced between the joists, but it would appear the last resident of the room had an affinity for fire. Across the room, the Party notices a shining key, however they will have to cross the make shift bridges to reach it.

QM Note: In order to reach the key a party member will need to cross the gap by utilizing the boards that are already in place spanning between the joists. A party member may carry a board with them but it must exactly fill the gap where it is placed. The boards may run vertically or horizontally. The boards may only be placed between joists or between a joist and the start/end point. Submit a solution in the following format:

_ : Walk along board

< : Pick up plank to the West

> : Pick up plank to the East

V : Pick up plank to the South

/\ : Pick up plank to the North

< : Put down plank to the West

> : Put down plank to the East

V : Put down plank to the South

/\ : Put down blank to the North

For example: _AV>_J would involve walking across the short plank to point A, picking up the short plank to the South, placing it to the East, and then walking across the short plank to point J.

Edited April 26, 2012 by Waterbrick Down

[Brickdoctor]

1. _A
   
2. V
   
3. >
   
4. _J
   
5. <
   
6. _Y
   
7. V
   
8. <
   
9. ^
   
10. V
    
11. _N
    
12. ^
    
13. _D
    
14. V
    
15. ^
    
16. _R
    
17. V
    
18. ^
    
19. _End

or

1. _A
   
2. V
   
3. ^
   
4. V
   
5. _T
   
6. V
   
7. _Long Plank
   
8. ^
   
9. _End

OoC: I wasn't sure about the second one since the joist at the top end of the long plank isn't labeled. The first solution only uses labeled joists.

[Jebediahs]

"You're quite nimble there, Docken. Pretty impressive for a cyclops!"

[Waterbrick Down]

QM Note: Sorry Brickdoctor, I was missing part of the diagram, there are specific start and end points to the puzzle which I forgot to put in the first time. I don't mean to sound like a poor sport, but do you want to go ahead and try again? I've updated the picture and clarified the rules.

Edit: The question has come up from an outside observer and just in case you are wondering as well, the planks may not cross, i.e. you may not lay one over the top of another.

2nd Edit: I just was informed that one of the joists is missing a label. Picture has been accordingly fixed, sorry guys I'm really batting a thousand here

Edited April 26, 2012 by Waterbrick Down

[Zepher]

Boomingham screws up his eyes before starting a series of complicated actions and plank shuffling. Each plank groans under him. Barty holds onto him and tries to fly upwards to lessen the load. He seems to be in as much pain as the floorboard trying to support the large man.

_ A \/ > _ J /\ _ Y /\ _ J < _ Y _ N /\ _ Y < _ N _ D < _ L /\ _ Finish

OoC: This is assuming we can carry two planks at a time, which I'm feeling isn't allowed, but I can't read anything that's against it. Also, it's 2:30 AM... so, who even knows if I wrote that right even if carrying two of them is allowed...

[Waterbrick Down]

... A party member may carry a board with them but it must exactly fill the gap where it is placed...

QM Note: Only one board at a time may be carried and only one of you can be out there at a time due to the fragility of everything, in case you're wondering yes it can be solved.

[Jebediahs]

"Hey guys, try this!"

1. _A

2. V

3. >

4. _J

5. >

6. _Z

7. >

8. _J

9. _A

10. >

11. /\

12. _T

13. V

14. _Q

15. <

16. V

17. >

18. <

19. _R

20. V

21. _D

22. /\

23. V

24. _N

25. _Z

26. V

27. <

28. >

29. _G

30. /\

31. _Z

32. <

33. >

34. _N

35. _D

36. V

37. /\

38. _R

39. V

40. _Q

41. <

42. >

43. V

44. _W

45. V

46. _Q

47. _T

48. >

49. _F

50. <

51. /\

52. _L

53. V

54. /\

55. _Finish

[Waterbrick Down]

"Hey guys, try this!"

...

QM Note: Step 51 is not a legitamate move as there is currently a board between N and Z and you can not lay one over the top of it. You're close though

Edited April 26, 2012 by Waterbrick Down

[Jebediahs]

Nur stumbled and almost fell.

1. _A

2. V

3. >

4. _J

5. >

6. _Z

7. >

8. _J

9. _A

10. >

11. /\

12. _T

13. V

14. _Q

15. <

16. V

17. >

18. <

19. _R

20. V

21. _D

22. /\

23. V

24. _N

25. _Z

26. V

27. <

28. >

29. _G

30. /\

31. _Z

32. <

33. >

34. _N

"Hmm, I think I went wrong here."

35. <

36. V

37. _D

38. V

39. /\

40. _R

41. V

42. _Q

43. <

44. >

45. V

46. _W

"If I don't make it, I'm leaving things to the elf and her acrobatics!"

47. V

48. _Q

49. _T

50. >

51. _F

52. <

53. /\

54. _L

55. V

56. /\

57. _Finish

[Waterbrick Down]

After much contemplation and a near tumble into through the ceiling of the first floor, Nur finds himself on the other side of the room. He grabs up the key and conveniently finds a rope and a magnifying glass in the crate next to it. Using the rope Nur is able to cross back to the rest of the party without having to navigate the floor boards again.

Dwarven Key - Opens dwarven lock within the Inn of the Winking Gargoyle. (Quest 15)

Magnifying Glass - Allows the hero to see trap triggers.

En Sabah Nur, Level 16 Sorcerer (Jebediahs) *Lucky*

Power: 28

Health: 25/25 (23+1)

Ether: 9/20

Gold: 158

Equipped:

Inventory: Stealth Dagger (WP: 12), Helmet (+1 HP), Loaded Die (Lucky effect),Garnet Gem (Earth), Aquamarine (Water), En, Sabah, Nur (Shurikens 3/3, WP: 5), 4 Potions, Grand Tonic, 2 Phoenix Essence, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Sangriste Dagger (WP: 5), Aquamarine Lamp of Summoning, Dwarven Key, Magnifying Glass

What would the Party like to do?

Edited April 27, 2012 by Waterbrick Down

[Brickdoctor]

I lead the party back to the door marked "1".

"Master Nur, could you please unlock the door?"

[Jebediahs]

Nur takes the magnifying glass and examines the door for a trap before using the key to unlock it. "Eh, after you, shield bearers."

[Waterbrick Down]

Nur examines the lock but finds nothing unusual about it. He then places the key in the lock, but as he does so, the door opens and the Party is greeted by a pair of rather strange individuals.

"Can. We. Help. You?" The insectious individual inquires in a static fashion.

How shall the Party respond?

[Brickdoctor]

"Excuse me, my fellow heroes and I are looking for two Doctors Jiivni."

[Waterbrick Down]

"Speaking. You do. Realize that. It. Is after. Midnight. And you. Seem. To. Be. Breaking. Into our. Room. Armed." The Lucustoid reaches for the knife at his side with a jerky motion.

Edited April 27, 2012 by Waterbrick Down

[Scorpiox]

Haldor raises his hands to show that he is not drawing his weapon. "Easy, we do not come to fight. There is a matter of which we must speak, regarding Mister Szalinski. You know him?"

[Waterbrick Down]

"You do. Not. Wish to. Fight. Yet you. Come to. My door. Armed? Tis I. Who should. Be. Asking. You questions. You have. Come to. Silence. Us. Like Mr. Szalinski. Was. Silenced. You. Leave us. Or we. Send. For Town. Watch." The Lucustoids hand remains at his side and his partner continues to glare at the Heroes from the back of the room.

[Brickdoctor]

"Silenced? As far as I know Master Szalinski is still alive and well."

[Scorpiox]

"We are the ones trying to find who it was who tried to kill Mister Szalinski, who ever it was tried to kill us too. I was one of the ones who saved his children when they were lost, I would have no desire to hurt him. We came armed because we knew that something malicious tried to hurt Szalinski, so we had to be prepared in case the same thing attack us again, we are not here to fight you. Now will we speak?" Haldor unstrappes his weapon from his back and places in on the floor and steps back, he gestures to the others to do the same.

[Zepher]

Boomingham steps forward and gives his diplomacy a try.

"Listen here, chappos, I know how disappointing it is when you wake up from a lovely nap and find a rag-tag band of heroes at your door, believe you me, but I'm certain you want to help us out. You poured time and energy into that machine and it went up in flames. All we're asking is for you to answer a question or two to help us get to the bottom of this whole issue. If you refuse to help us out, I'm certain that you will see how that may reflect poorly on you.

Edited April 27, 2012 by Zepher