Heroica RPG - Quest #31: Lions and Lambs

[Brickdoctor]

OoC: I don't know if you want to allow this or not Brickdoctor, but it would fit the roleplay as Skrall would probably kill Arthur if he tried to stop him with his crossbow and Luke won't do any damage to Arthur anyways more than likely. If you'd rather not have this, then go ahead and have Luke heal Arthur instead.

QM Note:

It's fine with me.

[Dharkan]

"And stay down." looking down to Calibor's dead body.

turning to Arthur and smiling sarcasticly; "You couldn't possibly think that you could get that kill, did you Arthur my dear?"

I'm holding my dagger in its sheath and hitting it Arthur's neck.

Edited May 14, 2012 by Dharkan

[Waterbrick Down]

OoC: Are you physically attacking him? We are still in battle, so an action probably would help Brickdoctor know whether we're roleplaying or continuing with the battle. It may just work for you to sit out a round that way we don't take any chances of either you being knocked out if Arthur's heal misses.

Skrall sights Lady Leofwena down the ridge of his crossbow, "Why my lady? Why are ya the servin' as the turn coat?"

[Dharkan]

OOC: Well of course I am, this is fun even if either of us get a disadvantage. :)

[Brickdoctor]

QM Note:

Um...okay...

Results of Round Nine of the Battle with the Cultists:

Alexandre le Chevalier vs. Lady Leofwena - Hit (6+10=16 Damage)

>Skrall vs. Lady Leofwena - Aim ([10*3]-4=26 Damage)

Count Lewis Knyghton vs. Lady Leofwena - Damage (8=8 Damage)

>Luke vs >Arthur Justus Regulus VII - Hit ([(1/2)/2]-1=0 Damage)

>Arthur Justus Regulus VII uses a Healing Staff on Isabella del Toboso - Critical Hit ([5*2]+10=20 Health)

Isabella del Toboso vs. >Arthur Justus Regulus VII - Critical Hit ([([7*2]+8)/2]-1=10 Damage)

Alexandre, recovering quickly, you lunge forward and pierce Lady Leofwena's armor in yet another spot. Skrall, trying to hit the hole Alexandre made, you carefully Aim before firing, and Lady Leofwena finally falls.

"The smoke is dispersing! We have come to save you...Oh.

"We are victorious!"

Isabella, you gain a full Level of XP, while the rest of you gain a Level of XP, so update your signatures accordingly. The enemies drop a Staff of the Cultist Battlemage, a Greatsword of Lion Nobles, 100 Gold, and a Smoke Bomb.

Party:

Skrall

, Level 16.5 Hunter (Waterbrick Down) *Party Leader*

*Favors Humanoid Enemies*

Power:

26

+4 vs. Beasts

Health:

21/29

Defense:

0

Gold:

9

Inventory: Heavy Crossbow (WP: 8; Knock-back),

Hunter's Crossbow (WP: 10; +4 vs. Beasts)

, Potion, Tonic, Smoke Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, Emperor Alandri's Letter

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

, Level 11 Mage (Flipz) *Party Second-in-Command*

Power:

16

Health:

6/15

Ether:

10/15

Defense:

1

Gold:

10

Inventory:

Arthur's Staff of Elven Necromancy (WP: 5)

,

Robe of Magi (SP:1)

, Amethyst (

Darkness

), Opal (

Ice

), Potion(x2), Bedroll, Telescope, Healing Staff (WP: 5), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Shovel, Grand Tonic

Isabella del Toboso

, Level 9 Rogue (Dharkan)

Power:

16

Health:

5/15

Defense:

1

Gold:

159

Inventory:

Fauxthril Dagger (WP:7)

, Golden Dagger (WP:3),

Cloak of the Invisible Elf (SP: 1;

untargetable for first 2 Rounds of every Battle

)

, Venom, Potions (2), Bedroll, Fire Bombs (2)

Alexandre le Chevalier

, Level 11 Knight (Capt.JohnPaul)

Power:

17

Health:

20/20

Defense:

7

Gold:

40

Inventory:

Sword of the Elven Blademaster (WP: 6; ignores SP)

, Cross Heater Shield (SP: 7), Potions (2), Fire Bombs (2), Bedroll

Luke

, Level 17 Sage (controlled by Waterbrick Down)

*Pacifist*

Power:

18

Health:

32/32

Ether:

23/24

Defense:

0

Gold:

0

Inventory:

Wooden Staff (WP: 1)

, Diamond (Light)

Count Lewis Knyghton

, Level 12 Engineer (controlled by Flipz)

Power:

15

Health:

11/19

Defense:

0

Gold:

0

Inventory:

Spatha (WP: 3)

Party Leader, please divide the loot:

Staff of the Cultist Battlemage

(WP: 7; 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics) -

Created by cultists who prefer to remain in hiding, this simple but somewhat unreliable oaken staff is capable of discharging smoke to cover its user's escape.

Greatsword of Lion Nobles

(WP: 20; User is

Slowed

; suitable for Barbarians and Knights) -

Forged largely for ceremonial use by the nobility, this massive greatsword requires the wielder to rest between each attack.

100 Gold

Smoke Bomb

-

Allows the party to escape the battle.

QM Note:

The new effect, Slowed, is the opposite of Hastened. You act on one Turn, and then you lose a Turn, and then you act again on the next Turn, and then you lose another Turn, etc.

[Waterbrick Down]

OoC: Sorry to end this wonderful session of PvP, but aim does 3x damage due to Skrall favoring humanoids.

[Flipz]

OOC: Does that mean that the battle will end before Arthur drops? (Not that I mind particularly, but gaining the experience would be just fine with me! )

[Waterbrick Down]

OoC: Did I say Skrall goes before Isabella? I must have meant that he goes last in the battle order.

[Dharkan]

"This will teach the boy not to mess with a woman."

Help me carry him out of harms way, I guess I did a little bit too much on him.

(If it doesn't end my turn)

I attack Lady Leofwena from front row.

[Brickdoctor]

QM Note:

Awwww...no KO.

Fixed. You're victorious. Please divide up the loot.

[Flipz]

QM Note:

Awwww...no KO.

Fixed. You're victorious. Please divide up the loot.

OOC: Ha ha ha, that staff is EXACTLY what Arthur would have needed if the battle had gone through!

Arthur hears the sounds of Leofwena's armor clanking as she falls, and it's enough to jar his concentration and cause him to miss Isabella. Coming to his senses, he swipes the Cultist's staff and stalks away to brood. "Don't think I haven't dismissed the possibility of revenge, Rogue. He was mine." Despite his words, there was a hint of doubt to them.

Count Knyghton goes to speak to Arthur, but the latter swings the staff at him, barely missing the Engineer. Knyghton sighs and walks back to the party. "If I still know 'im--and I'm not completely sure I do, mind ya--he's in a mood ta talk. Just not ta me. I don't think sendin' Miss Isabella over there would be a good idea, either, 'nless ya want a fight ta keep ya entertained. If any o' tha rest o' ya want ta try to talk some sense into 'im, now'd be tha time." Knyghton shakes his head sandly, and adds, "If he comes ta his senses, he'll probably try an' refuse any gold ya try ta give 'im, an' if he doesn't, he'll likely try ta slit on o' your throats or somethin' if he doesn't gat any. I'll hold onto his share of any gold fer now, just ta be safe."

[Waterbrick Down]

OoC: Arthur's already taken the staff, so I'll assume Skrall doesn't have to distribute it to him.

Skrall walks over to the body of Lady Leofwena and sighs, picking up the sword he slings it over his other shoulder, grabbing the coin purse he throws 50 Gold to Isabella and 50 gold and the smoke bomb to Alexandre. "Wait here, I'm goin' after the mage. Alexandre if ya want the sword we can talk after I get back, I just want somethin' handy in case young Regulus turns violent. Luke patch everybody up while I'm gone will ya?"

"Of course master Skrall wait one moment before you go. Now take care, Arthur is not well and I fear for what he is becoming." Luke heals Count Knyghton, Isabella, and Skrall for the cost of 3 ether.

Skrall trots after Arthur, his hand hovering over the Hunter's Crossbow strapped to his side, prepare for the unexpected.

Edited May 14, 2012 by Waterbrick Down

[Flipz]

Arthur stubbornly sits in silence for some time even after Skrall aproaches, but at length he sighs and faces the Hunter. "Why are we doing this?" he begins without preamble. "Wandering off into the wildernesses of the world, getting ourselves into situations with gods-only-know kind of danger? And for what? To help someone? Why bother, they're just going to betray you when you're weakest, when your source of power is completely gone."

Edited May 14, 2012 by Flipz

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall looks down at the mage, as thoughts flit through his mind. Thoughts about philosophy, right and wrong, might and weakness, fate and freedom. This is why he had run, this is why he had abandoned his past life, too many questions, everyone trying to make things complicated. Maybe things were complicated and Skrall had just not wanted to deal with it. The ogre sighs, "I've gone on my fair share of quests young mage and have met with a many a hero of many a mentality. Some were in it for the money, others for the fame. Some quested looking for true love, others quested to forget about it. Some traveled to convert others to a cause, others to bring an end to one. Some had lofty senses of nobility and honor, while others were down to earth in their sensibilities. I don't know the ultimate reason of why we're here, heck I'm here because this was the quest that paid the best and when yer belly's empty and you've got creditors houndin' yer every step, nobility and righteousness go out the window and are replaced with a drive to survive." Skrall paused for a moment, he knew what he was going to say next he didn't believe in, but it needed to be said in order to keep the mage sane, "Ultimately though, that survival is goin' to leave ya alone and miserable. It's a chance we all take, trustin' in somethin' or someone outside of our control. Sure the chance exists that we'll be betrayed, I've faced my share of betrayal, but that chance is not out weighted by the benefits reaped from fightin' for somethin' bigger than ourselves and for those we have grown to care about. Not trustin' in anyone isn't protectin' you from bein' betrayed, it's actually you betrayin' everyone else, shirking those responsibilities that every man, orc, and what-ever owes to his fellow man, orc, and whatever. We are not to care if they hold up to their end of the bargain, what's important is that we hold up ours, if I can do that, that I will die a satisfied orc whether good or evil comes my way. If it be good then I'll accept it with open arms. If it be evil then ya can be soddin' sure that I'll take as much of it down with me as I can, whether it be chaos, treachery, bigotry, pride, or wanton destruction, it will not prevail until it has taken every last drop of blood and sweat that is contained within this body!" Skrall pauses, he hadn't realized he was shouting toward the end, hadn't realized how much his own words had struck a chord within his own heart. He sits on a near by log and waits for Arthur's reply.

[Flipz]

Arthur paused, to let Skrall's reply sink in. "The question is...what's worth protecting? What's worth that support? No offense, but I don't buy into that 'duty to your fellows' business. Plenty of folks preach it, but no one follows through. Nether, the Elders taught that our kind had a duty to protect each other, because no one else would willingly give us anything even as miniscule as the benefeit of the doubt, 'cause we were different. That didn't stop them from throwing me out when I turned out to be 'different,' though. Even though they claimed to shun them, at heart they kept to the old beliefs: people are resources, like pigs or sheep or cows. If they're of service to you, great, help 'em out, but soon as they get in your way." Arthur sighed. "I thought I'd put that behind me. That I'd put them behind me. But this blasted place..." He paused. "Do you know what it's like to be powerless, Skrall? Because that's what I am. And for a Hero...that's perilously close to 'useless.'"

[Capt.JohnPaul]

Alexandre if ya want the sword we can talk after I get back

"I'm content with what I have, sir." Alexandre replies. "Where now? What information or clues can we find now?"

Alexandre searches the bodies for maps or letters or strategic documents.

[Flipz]

Still feeling restless, Arthur pulls out his shovel--Cinna's shovel, he remembers, what would she think of me now? What would any of them think of me?--and digs idly.

[Waterbrick Down]

Arthur paused, to let Skrall's reply sink in. "The question is...what's worth protecting? What's worth that support? No offense, but I don't buy into that 'duty to your fellows' business. Plenty of folks preach it, but no one follows through. Nether, the Elders taught that our kind had a duty to protect each other, because no one else would willingly give us anything even as miniscule as the benefeit of the doubt, 'cause we were different. That didn't stop them from throwing me out when I turned out to be 'different,' though. Even though they claimed to shun them, at heart they kept to the old beliefs: people are resources, like pigs or sheep or cows. If they're of service to you, great, help 'em out, but soon as they get in your way." Arthur sighed. "I thought I'd put that behind me. That I'd put them behind me. But this blasted place..." He paused. "Do you know what it's like to be powerless, Skrall? Because that's what I am. And for a Hero...that's perilously close to 'useless.'"

"What is worth protectin'? What is worth supportin'? What made you stand yer ground when Brobic forces were pourin' in from all around? What made ya turn and fight when their very forces had scaled the walls and were attackin' ya. What made ya face down mages and warlocks twice as strong as ya? Was it nobility or an attitude of 'I am holier than thou'? No it was fer love, and peace, and the chance for every man, orc, and whatever to live from free of tyranny, injustice, and persecution. Ya may not believe in yer duty to yer fellow man, but love ain't a duty. Love is what kept Althior from fallin' to whatever evil is besettin' him. Love is what keeps Haldor and Jess pressin' on even when they are separated or bein' torn apart by witches of chaos. Love looks past the differences between a mage and a rogue, it sees the value in even the most inexperienced, clumsy, and slightly daft barbarian. Love keeps one goin' and providin', even when his lover doesn't love him anymore and his children think he's nothing but a coward and a joke. Love does not see a difference in value between those with power and those who are powerless. Ya ask me if I have ever been powerless, that's a hard question fer an Ogre personally, but I have seen and even experienced the feelin' of oppression, of the futility to change the way things are. Remember, yer speaking to a greenskin, mage, our kind has always been hated, for our actions rightly so, but the higher races' disdain and disgust looks not at the heart or the soul of our kind these days, but merely the color of our skin and we are almost powerless to do anythin' about it, but that doesn't mean we stop tryin'. Look at Cronk or myself, we haven't given ourselves over to the hate and disdain from the other side, no, we have gone halfway down the path of reconciliation and are just waitin' with an open hand for a hand of peace from the other side instead of a clenched fist. Ya can see fer yerself, times are changin', love that was once reserved fer one's own kind is at last spreadin', changin' the sensibilities of the older generation to the understandin' and toleration of the present. Yer right it ain't duty that changes things, it's love. Now ya can go on yer way, viewin' people as cattle and sheep to be slaughtered when they're of no more use, or ya can strive fer somethin' higher than yerself, somethin' that will continue to influence this world even when yer bones have been buried in one a hole just like the one yer diggin', love. It means gettin' out of yer bedroll everyday and actin' for the betterment of not yerself but those around ya. It means given a coin to the beggar on the street so that he doesn't have to starve fer the day. It means takin' the blow that was meant for a friend. It even means showin' mercy to those who don't deserve it at times. Now, the choice is up to ya, don't make it fer me, don't make it fer the Count or Luke, don't even make it fer the lass who gave ya that shovel, ya've got to make it fer yerself." With that Skrall rejoins the rest of the Party, leaving Arthur to ponder on his words.

[Flipz]

Arthur looks at his shovel, then back at his Amethyst, then back at his Amethyst. He looks back over his shoulder at Skrall, sighs, and goes back to digging in silence.

OOC: I'm off for the rest of the day, see you tomorrow!

[Waterbrick Down]

OoC: If you wanted Skrall to take the amathyst away you should have said so. Have a good day.

Skrall rejoins the rest of his party, "Anything on the corpse Mr. Chevalier? She had to have those books she stole somewhere."

[Flipz]

OOC: Hey, Doc, I'm back, and I'm waiting for the results of my digging before I continue.

[Brickdoctor]

QM Note:

Sorry. Don't think I forgot about you!

Okay, so maybe I did forget. This topic updated while I had a dozen tabs open trying to get the hang of indexing MOCs in the Star Wars forum, and I decided to view it and come back later to update, but then I forgot.

I think we might need to take a short break as the other Dastan Quests catch up in our planned timeline, so feel free to roleplay a bit.

Arthur, your digging reveals a lot of dirt and stirs up a lot of dust that flies everywhere and makes everyone else annoyed at you.

You examine the bodies, but there are no other significant items.

Party:

Skrall

, Level 16.5 Hunter (Waterbrick Down) *Party Leader*

*Favors Humanoid Enemies*

Power:

26

+4 vs. Beasts

Health:

29/29

Defense:

0

Gold:

9

Inventory: Heavy Crossbow (WP: 8; Knock-back),

Hunter's Crossbow (WP: 10; +4 vs. Beasts)

, Greatsword of Lion Nobles (WP: 20; User is

Slowed

), Potion, Tonic, Smoke Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, Emperor Alandri's Letter

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

, Level 11 Mage (Flipz) *Party Second-in-Command*

Power:

16

Health:

6/15

Ether:

10/15

Defense:

1

Gold:

10

Inventory:

Arthur's Staff of Elven Necromancy (WP: 5)

, Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7;

50% chance of Fleeing instead of being KO'd

)

Robe of Magi (SP:1)

, Amethyst (

Darkness

), Opal (

Ice

), Potion(x2), Bedroll, Telescope, Healing Staff (WP: 5), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Shovel, Grand Tonic

Isabella del Toboso

, Level 9 Rogue (Dharkan)

Power:

16

Health:

15/15

Defense:

1

Gold:

209

Inventory:

Fauxthril Dagger (WP:7)

, Golden Dagger (WP:3),

Cloak of the Invisible Elf (SP: 1;

untargetable for first 2 Rounds of every Battle

)

, Venom, Potions (2), Bedroll, Fire Bombs (2)

Alexandre le Chevalier

, Level 11 Knight (Capt.JohnPaul)

Power:

17

Health:

20/20

Defense:

7

Gold:

90

Inventory:

Sword of the Elven Blademaster (WP: 6; ignores SP)

, Cross Heater Shield (SP: 7), Potions (2), Fire Bombs (2), Bedroll, Smoke Bomb

Luke

, Level 17 Sage (controlled by Waterbrick Down)

*Pacifist*

Power:

18

Health:

32/32

Ether:

20/24

Defense:

0

Gold:

0

Inventory:

Wooden Staff (WP: 1)

, Diamond (Light)

Count Lewis Knyghton

, Level 12 Engineer (controlled by Flipz)

Power:

15

Health:

19/19

Defense:

0

Gold:

0

Inventory:

Spatha (WP: 3)

[Brickdoctor]

As the smoke clears, you see the troops relax and form back up. You hear snapping of twigs and the thundering of hoofs as a Lion Knight gallops out of the forest and approaches the commander. You see them exchange a few words before you are approached by the commander.

"I'm glad that's over with, but it looks like it might have been a diversion. We have reports of Rogue Lion activity near the capital. Emperor Alandri has requested that we return to Drakencourt and reinforce the garrison at Fort Drakon, which, among other things, is used to store large amounts of weaponry for the Imperial Army."

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"I'm glad that's over with, but it looks like it might have been a diversion. We have reports of Rogue Lion activity near the capital. Emperor Alandri has requested that we return to Drakencourt and reinforce the garrison at Fort Drakon, which, among other things, is used to store large amounts of weaponry for the Imperial Army."

"Let's go! What are we waiting for?" Alexandre gathers his troops. "Also, how far is Fort Drakon from the capital?"

[Flipz]

Arthur makes sure to send most of the dirt from his digging in Isabella's direction. Seeing that there were no buried treasures to be found in this wasteland, he opens his now-useless journal and begins to write, more out of habit than anything.

Dear De'kra,

Are you still my friend? Would you still be my friend if you knew who I am? What I've done?

I know you can't really read this. I don't even know if you'll ever see this. Even if somehow my magicks are no longer blocked, the damage could be too great for the spell to continue. Would you understand that, De'kra? Something being broken, beyond being fixed? This place drains my very soul, stripping away the masks I put up to hide from myself. I see my true self, and I am afraid. Because I

like

what I see.

Farewell, De'kra. If we meet again, I may not be the same "hero" you once called "friend."

--Arthur

Arthur follows the rest of the party as they walk, mumbling a song. If anyone made the effort to get closer, they could probably hear the lyrics.

Edited May 15, 2012 by Flipz