Heroica RPG - Quest #31: Lions and Lambs

[Waterbrick Down]

"Let us get goin' then! Troops collect yerselves and move out!" Skrall shouts to the mixed company as he starts into a brisk trot toward the capitol. "Can we get any scouts ahead to see if we can take the enemy by surprise?" Skrall calls out to the commander of the Lion Knights that had just arrived.

Luke drops back to walk with Arthur, he does not speak for a while but merely listens to the tune that Arthur is mumbling.

[Flipz]

"Every time that I look in the mirror, all these lines on my face getting clearer...

The past is gone...it went by like dusk to dawn. Isn't that the way? Everybody's got their dues in life to pay...

Ohh, I know nobody knows where it comes and where it goes...

I know everybody's sin: You've got to lose to know...how to win...

Half of my life's in book-written pages...

I've lived and learned from fools and from Sages...

You know it's true...

All those things...come back to you..."

Count Knyghton notices that Arthur has dropped his telescope. Taking care to cut a wide berth around the disturbed mage, he brings it to Skrall. "Here, I think this migh' be useful."

Edited May 16, 2012 by Flipz

[Waterbrick Down]

"Aye, thanks Count, tell me when did this start happenin'? Was it somethin' at the fort on his last quest?" Skrall raises the telescope to his eye and looks out towards the capitol to see if he can spot any rebel troop movements.

[Flipz]

"I dinnae for sure, although there was tha' moment in tha final battle..."

"Let me explain. We were in tha middle o' fightin' off tha final wave o' tha Elven troops at Bric'Bay. There were three leaders: tha soldier Lord Davril--that's his sword Alexandre's carryin', tha Necromancer Lord Belril, and the saboteur Lord Leorry, the original owner o' Miss Isabella's wonderful Cloak. Now, soon as they showed up, Arthur seemed obsessed with gettin' his hands on that Necromancer's stafft-he pulled tha' Amethyst outta it, I think, and reshaped it ta be his own. Right after Belril went down, Davril locked on ta Arthur, and he sorta freaked out an' lost it. The next thing I know, he's runnin' away ta tha top o' tha tower, and Leorry's up there. I followed 'im up, but I was too slow ta really see wha' happened, I remember his spell tossed Leorry off tha tower, but everythin' else is all foggy. He seems ta have seen somethin' up there, after that he started yammerin' on abou' tha "Curse o' tha Emerald" or somethin'. Looked like he'd seen a ghost..."

"I don't know wha' happened to 'im back at tha Hall, though, that's somethin' ya might want to ask 'im directly. I do know one thing, though: he's actin' more an' more like tha' Brobric Necromancer whose staff he carries and tha Elven Rogue he killed on top o' that tower. As illogical as his dislike o' Miss Isabella is, I'd support it, keep 'im away from her. Her Rogueish ways migh' be a bad influence on 'im."

[Waterbrick Down]

"I see, perhaps that necromancer left a curse on his stuff?" Skrall shivered, "Magic, too much risk and not enough reward if ya ask me."

Luke continued along side Arthur attempting to chose his words carefully, "You seem trouble Arthur, is there something that is weighing your conscience?"

[Flipz]

"I see, perhaps that necromancer left a curse on his stuff?" Skrall shivered, "Magic, too much risk and not enough reward if ya ask me."

"Eyah, tha Clerics ain't so bad, I dinnae why tha troops take so poorly ta them--I mean, take a look at Luke. Tha Mages, on tha other hand..."

"I mean, Arthur was a genius with tha powerful, destructive weapons back at Bric'bay, but looking back after all o' this, I'm startin' ta wonder...is destruction all that they're good for? Gods know tha other two were tha' way; tha Party Leader, Althior--Arthur's Master, now tha' I think abou' it--was a similar basket case, overly harsh one minute, an' a careless klutz tha next. An' don' even get me started on tha guy's butler spirit thingy. Biggest moron I ever know. If I didn't know any better, I'd call it the idiot tha gods built ta make Althior stupid. Tha other one, tha elven aeromancer, was a rampagin', bloodthirsty monster like his Brobric kin, 'e got himself drunk and started smitin' 'em like crazy firs' chance 'e got. If he were a Fire mage I'd call 'im a pyromaniac, I can't think o' the correspondin' term fer Wind an' Rain an' Lightnin'." Knyghton shakes his head sadly. "I really though' Arthur'd be diff'rent, but it's like tha magic gets in yer head or somethin' at a certain point, no matter who ya were before. I dinnae if tha' means we ought ta forgive 'em all fer their insanity, but at tha very least I feel sorry for 'em."

Luke continued along side Arthur attempting to chose his words carefully, "You seem trouble Arthur, is there something that is weighing your conscience?"

Arthur sighs. "Have you ever thought something's wrong, been told something's wrong, and yet somehow you know with every fibre of your being that it's exactly what ya have to do?"

[Flipz]

Arthur resumes humming, and starts dragging his shovel through the dirt behind him, hoping to uncover something of interest along the long, quiet journey.

[Waterbrick Down]

"Eyah, tha Clerics ain't so bad, I dinnae why tha troops take so poorly ta them--I mean, take a look at Luke. Tha Mages, on tha other hand..."

"I mean, Arthur was a genius with tha powerful, destructive weapons back at Bric'bay, but looking back after all o' this, I'm startin' ta wonder...is destruction all that they're good for? Gods know tha other two were tha' way; tha Party Leader, Althior--Arthur's Master, now tha' I think abou' it--was a similar basket case, overly harsh one minute, an' a careless klutz tha next. An' don' even get me started on tha guy's butler spirit thingy. Biggest moron I ever know. If I didn't know any better, I'd call it the idiot tha gods built ta make Althior stupid. Tha other one, tha elven aeromancer, was a rampagin', bloodthirsty monster like his Brobric kin, 'e got himself drunk and started smitin' 'em like crazy firs' chance 'e got. If he were a Fire mage I'd call 'im a pyromaniac, I can't think o' the correspondin' term fer Wind an' Rain an' Lightnin'." Knyghton shakes his head sadly. "I really though' Arthur'd be diff'rent, but it's like tha magic gets in yer head or somethin' at a certain point, no matter who ya were before. I dinnae if tha' means we ought ta forgive 'em all fer their insanity, but at tha very least I feel sorry for 'em."

"Yes, but they're bad for business I can say that. I used to help seperate caravans from their goods, for charitable reasons ya know. Well the caravans got smart and started armin' their groups with mages, such a heartless greedy decision. So most of my business moved on North till I had to start workin' for Heroica to pay the bills. But that's mages fer ya. I got nothin' against clerics though, I just think the men want someone who ain't afraid to use a sharpened blade and kill his opponent rather 'an bash him with a staff."

Arthur sighs. "Have you ever thought something's wrong, been told something's wrong, and yet somehow you know with every fibre of your being that it's exactly what ya have to do?"

"Everytime I go into battle Arthur. I have served Sir Leonard for many a year, and I have healed many a wound, but I still look for the day when there will be no more need of clerics for there will be no more war and there will be no reason for me to use my abilities not only for healing but also for hurting. Do you fear for what you must do or what has already been done?"

Edited May 17, 2012 by Waterbrick Down

[Flipz]

"Yes, but they're bad for business I can say that. I used to help seperate caravans from their goods, for charitable reasons ya know. Well the caravans got smart and started armin' their groups with mages, such a heartless greedy decision. So most of my business moved on North till I had to start workin' for Heroica to pay the bills. But that's mages fer ya. I got nothin' against clerics though, I just think the men want someone who ain't afraid to use a sharpened blade and kill his opponent rather 'an bash him with a staff."

Count Knyghton nods in agreement. "It's hard ta believe tha' Clerics and Mages apparently use tha same Ether." He shakes his head sadly. "'Course, I've no patience for tha stuff myself, so fer all I know, it's not, heh heh."

"Everytime I go into battle Arthur. I have served Sir Leonard for many a year, and I have healed many a wound, but I still look for the day when there will be no more need of clerics for there will be no more war and there will be no reason for me to use my abilities not only for healing but also for hurting. Do you fear for what you must do or what has already been done?"

"For what I must do. Two roads lead into a darkened wood, and I know not which is darker." He glares at the back of Isabella's head. "But I think I know which one to take. As loathsome as it may be, I have to do it, or lose myself to darkness forever. I'm probably not strong enough for the task. But I have to try, for the sake of us all."

OOC: Would it be in-character for Luke to heal Arthur at this point?

[Waterbrick Down]

"For what I must do. Two roads lead into a darkened wood, and I know not which is darker." He glares at the back of Isabella's head. "But I think I know which one to take. As loathsome as it may be, I have to do it, or lose myself to darkness forever. I'm probably not strong enough for the task. But I have to try, for the sake of us all."

OOC: Would it be in-character for Luke to heal Arthur at this point?

Luke notices Arthur's wounds have yet to be healed, "Arthur, there will always be things in this world which we take no delight in doing but must be done. What you must learn is to cherish the moments between that you do take delight in doing. For me, that is healing that which is broken during time which I must right that which is wrong." With that Luke smiles and channeling his ether through his diamond tipped staff, heals Arthur at the cost of 1 ether as radient beams of pure soft healing light wash over the mage.

[Flipz]

"Thank you, Luke." Arthur looks to Count Knyghton and sighs. "If only friendships could be healed so easily..."

[Brickdoctor]

Luke, you heal Arthur.

Skrall, looking through your Telescope, you don't see anything unusual, and you enter the fort.

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, Telescope

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

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

Power:

16

Health:

15/15

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, 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:

19/24

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)

You can see that the fort was once probably a magnificent structure of sandstone, but its walls have been worn down in many places to show a core of traditional grey stone walls. You spot containers filled with weapons stashed here and there, and you recall that the fort is used to store spare weapons for the Imperial Army.

"Sirs! Welcome to Fort Drakon!"

[Flipz]

Arthur nods to Knyghton, and the Engineer reluctantly stands with him. The two stand in front of the Imperial Pikeman in silence for several seconds before Arthur courteously motions for Knyghton to take the lead. Taken somewhat aback, the Engineer complies. "Uh, hallo there. If ya don't mind, could ya tell us about tha defensive capabilities of this fort? Fortification strength, available siege weapons, available anti-siege weapon defenses, tha' sort of thing?"

Arthur nods politely. "If your leaders don't have any specific orders for us at the moment, Count Knyghton and I would like to get started on improvements and fortifications straight away." He pulls the pikemen aside for a moment. "Also, are there any areas within the fortress where--" he sternly resists the urge to glance over his shoulder "--where we can potentially ambush enemies? You know, in case they somehow slip within the walls of the fort?"

OOC: Doc, now that I'm dead in Mafia you do realize that I'll be hounding you twice as hard for this, right?

Edited May 18, 2012 by Flipz

[Flipz]

EDIT: whoops, thought it would auto-merge. Delete, please!

Edited May 18, 2012 by Flipz

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"We are grateful of your hospitality. I hear a rebellion or some enemy force is nearby? Could you or commanding officer tell us anything about that?"

[Waterbrick Down]

"I for one would also like to speak with the commander. Alexandre, why don't ya accompany me. Yer diplomatic skills may prove useful."

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"I for one would also like to speak with the commander. Alexandre, why don't ya accompany me. Yer diplomatic skills may prove useful."

"Yes sir." Alexandre lets Skrall lead the way, and follows behind him.

Alexandre looks for chicken legs heads or anything unusual behind the crates.

[Brickdoctor]

As you speak, the portcullis is suddenly forced upwards and propped up on piece of wood. You see the first guard get dragged out of the fort to who knows where, while the first runs for help. Troops begin to enter, and you see that they wear the uniforms of Lion Knights, but their armor is significantly darker.

"It's a Rogue Lion Knight assault! I'm ordering the troops to keep the rest of the rebels out. Prepare for battle!"

Enemies:

Rogue Lion Commander

Type:

Humanoid

Level:

15

Health:

150/150

Defense:

2

Special:

Rally

- The commander rallies his troops, doubling their Damage dealt during the next Round as part of the

Encouraged

effect.

Drops: 40 Gold

Rogue Lion Pikeman A

Type:

Humanoid

Level:

10

Health:

50/50

Defense:

2

Special:

Stick Together

- All Pikemen present huddle together, halving their Damage taken during the next Round, but also making them unable to deal Free Hits.

Drops: nothing

Rogue Lion Pikeman B

Type:

Humanoid

Level:

10

Health:

50/50

Defense:

2

Special:

Stick Together

- All Pikemen present huddle together, halving their Damage taken during the next Round, but also making them unable to deal Free Hits.

Drops: nothing

Rogue Lion Pikeman C

Type:

Humanoid

Level:

10

Health:

50/50

Defense:

2

Special:

Stick Together

- All Pikemen present huddle together, halving their Damage taken during the next Round, but also making them unable to deal Free Hits.

Drops: nothing

Rogue Lion Pikeman D

Type:

Humanoid

Level:

10

Health:

50/50

Defense:

2

Special:

Stick Together

- All Pikemen present huddle together, halving their Damage taken during the next Round, but also making them unable to deal Free Hits.

Drops: nothing

Rogue Lion Pikeman E

Type:

Humanoid

Level:

10

Health:

50/50

Defense:

2

Special:

Stick Together

- All Pikemen present huddle together, halving their Damage taken during the next Round, but also making them unable to deal Free Hits.

Drops: nothing

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, Telescope

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

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

Power:

16

Health:

15/15

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, 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:

19/24

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)

Party Leader, choose the order of actions.

All of you, choose your targets and the Row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, move, 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 has acted.

[Flipz]

Count Knyghton, thinking fast, smashes the wooden post holding up the portcullis from the Front Row. "We can take a Free Hit, we don't want anythin' comin' through here!"

Arthur, meanwhile, attempts to Confuse Rogue Lion Pikeman A. "Skrall, might I suggest using your Heavy Crossbow on the leader?"

[Waterbrick Down]

"Roll out the welcome wagon, the party's arrived." Skrall unholsters his Hunter's Crossbow and fires an arrow off at Rogue Lion Pikeman A from the back row. "Arthur would ya mind sealin' up that commander an keepin' him from encouraging his mates. Luke be a good chap, and keep that second rogue lion pikemen busy." Luke moves off to physically attack the Rogue Lion Pikeman B from the back row.

Battle Order:

Alexandre

Skrall

Count Knyghton

Isabella

Arthur

Luke

As Arthur pulls out his scroll, Skrall quickly switches plans. Dropping his Hunters Crossbow he quickly unshoulders the Heavy Crossbow and fires off a bolt directly at the Rogue Lion Commander from the back row.

[Capt.JohnPaul]

Alexandre, hearing the attack behind him, spins around and draws his sword in the same motion. He strides up to the Commander, gets his attention, and swings his sword at him from the front

[Flipz]

"Isabella, would ya mind takin either Pikeman D or Pikeman E, preferably from the Front Row? Also, Alexandre, ya might ought ta take Pikeman C from tha front row."

[Dharkan]

Attacking Pikeman D from front row.

Edited May 18, 2012 by Dharkan

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Isabella, would ya mind takin either Pikeman D or Pikeman E, preferably from the Front Row? Also, Alexandre, ya might ought ta take Pikeman C from tha front row."

"Sir?" Alexandre questions, "But my weapon will ignore the defense most effectively. And should it happen I take damage, I have the shield of 7 defense. The damage would be halved."

[Flipz]

"Sir?" Alexandre questions, "But my weapon will ignore the defense most effectively. And should it happen I take damage, I have the shield of 7 defense. The damage would be halved."

"Skrall has him covered, I don't want to take an extra Free Hit," Arthur snarls. "Besides, all these jerks have the same Defense anyway, better to just get the weaker ones out of the way quick so we don't have to take extra hits."

OOC: If Count Knyghton can't attack the chunk of wood, he'll switch his attack to an untargetted Pikeman.

Edited May 18, 2012 by Flipz